Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Friday Afternoon 2-7-25

08/02/2025

Good Afernoon ,

HOUSE REPUBLICANS PUSH FORWARD ON STABLECOIN REGULATION WITH NEW DRAFT BILL

▪️Earlier in the week, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., introduced a bill to regulate stablecoins.

▪️The House’s draft version will be brought up in a hearing next week.

House Financial Services Committee Republican Chair French Hill, R-Ark., released draft legislation to regulate stablecoins as U.S. lawmakers forge ahead on rules for those assets.

Hill, alongside Rep. Bryan Steill, R-Wis., posted a discussion draft for stablecoins on Thursday, which builds on work done over the years in the House Financial Services Committee.

Steil leads that committee’s digital asset-focused panel. Hill and Steil are seeking feedback on the draft, which will be brought up in a hearing next week in the House Financial Services Committee.

“By implementing a clear regulatory structure for payment stablecoins, we can support continued innovation, bolster the U.S. dollar’s position as the world’s reserve currency, and protect consumers and investors,” Steil said in the statement.

“I look forward to getting feedback from consumers, issuers, and stakeholders on this draft legislation as we work to provide clear rules of the road for this innovative technology.”

Lawmakers have been working to pass a stablecoin bill for years, with work focused primarily in the House. Now retired former House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., was working with top Democrat Maxine Waters, D-Calif, to create a regulatory framework for stablecoins since 2022. A sticking point for that bill was a provision that allows state regulators to approve stablecoin issuances without Federal Reserve input.

The discussion draft differs slightly from the previous stablecoin bill. For example, it gives the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency the authority to “approve and supervise federally qualified nonbank payment stablecoin issuers ” instead of including a federal path through the Federal Reserve for “payment stablecoin issuers.“

Work on the Senate side

Earlier in the week, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., introduced a bill to regulate stablecoins called the “Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins” ahead of a press conference on Tuesday where lawmakers announced they would be forming a working group to write rules for crypto and stablecoins. That working group included members from the House Financial Services Committee, Senate Agriculture Committee, House Agriculture Committee and the Senate Banking Committee.

Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott, R-S.C., highlighted the need to keep innovation in the U.S. while protecting consumers and working on financial inclusion.

“That’s why I’ve led stablecoin legislation with my colleagues in the Senate, and I look forward to working with Chairman Hill and our House counterparts to advance a solution to President Trump’s desk,” Scott said.

The discussion draft is not a companion to Hagerty’s bill, but Hill and Steil said both show an effort among Republicans to work on key issues.

“Both approaches represent an effort among Republicans to provide the robust protections and transparency consumers expect, provide for federal and state pathways for stablecoin issuance, and secure the United States as the leader in digital finance,” they said.

@ Newshounds News™

Source: The Block

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A THIRD OF ALL US STATES NOW EXPLORING BITCOIN, CRYPTO FOR PUBLIC FUNDS

Utah stands out as the state closest to a potential implementation. Its bill would authorize the allocation of 5% to “qualifying digital assets.”

A growing wave of U.S. states are pursuing legislation to establish strategic Bitcoin reserves or enable crypto investments for public funds, opening a shift in state-level fiscal policy.

Out of 50 U.S. states, 16 have ongoing legislative considerations and varying statuses.

Utah stands out as the state closest to a potential implementation.

The state’s Blockchain and Digital Innovation Amendments bill was passed and recommended on third reading by the Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee through the House, with a majority vote of 8 to 1 on January 28.

Utah’s bill would authorize the state treasurer to allocate up to 5% of certain public funds to “qualifying digital assets,” as long as they meet the main requirement of having over $500 billion in market capitalization, averaged over the past 12 months.

While the bill does not explicitly mention Bitcoin in its language, only Bitcoin categorically passes the core requirement in terms of market capitalization.

Dennis Porter, CEO of Satoshi Act Fund, pointed out this contention on X after Justin Bechler, a Bitcoin advocate, argued that Porter’s characterization of the bill was misleading due to Utah’s Money Transmitter Act.

On the Bitcoin trail

Though a total of 17 states have filed for similar proposals,North Dakota’s proposal was notably rejected on February 4, according to data visualized by the Bitcoin Reserve Monitor.

Several other states are considering similar moves to allow Bitcoin or crypto for use in public funds.

State-level momentum continues building, with New Mexico becoming the latest entrant. Senator Anthony L. Thornton introduced the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act (SB275) on February 4, proposing a 5% allocation of public funds to Bitcoin.

Arizona’s Senate Finance Committee has advanced similar legislation, passing SB1025 which would permit up to 10% of public funds, including pension systems, to invest in cryptocurrencies.

Wyoming and Massachusetts have also joined the race, with the latter opening its rainy day funds to be invested in Bitcoin or any digital asset for up to 10% of its stabilization fund.

Texas, meanwhile, has taken a different approach with dual proposals. The state has a Senate bill in the works that would allow up to 1% allocation from its general revenue fund balance.

It also has a separate House bill focused on Bitcoin donations, with provisions for crypto payment conversions to Bitcoin. So far, neither has advanced to law.

From Oklahoma and Missouri to New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, various states in the U.S. have either proposed or pending bills, with the legislative status of these bills across 16 participating states actively being tracked by Bitcoin Reserve Monitor.

@ Newshounds News™
Source: Decrypt

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SEC OFFICIALS INSTRUCTED TO SHRINK CRYPTOCURRENCY ENFORCEMENT TEAM: REPORT

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly downsizing a special unit of more than 50 lawyers and staff members tasked to bring crypto enforcement actions.

Citing five people familiar with the matter, The New York Times reports that a leading lawyer in the unit was pulled out from the enforcement division and some were assigned to other departments within the agency.

The crypto enforcement unit was created during the first Trump administration but it nearly doubled its size in 2022 under previous SEC chair Gary Gensler, who initiated a crackdown on the US crypto industry.

A recent tally reveals that the unit brought more than 100 crypto-related actions during the Biden administration.

It is not yet clear though if the shake-up will affect pending enforcement actions, which include a case involving Coinbase. The crypto exchange is charged with violating federal securities laws by operating an unregistered platform.

The report says some people think that the reorganization constitutes unfair demotion. Corey Frayer, who served as senior adviser to Gensler on crypto issues, also criticizes the SEC’s friendlier stance on digital assets.

“What the new SEC leadership proposes to do for crypto is remove the speed limits and guardrails that have made our capital markets the strongest in the world.”

@ Newshounds News™

Source: DailyHodl

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TRUMP’S ECONOMIC MOVES SHAKE THE CRYPTOCURRENCY MARKET

▪️The BTC price reacted negatively to Trump’s comments.

▪️Trump’s tariffs are causing turmoil in the cryptocurrency market.

▪️Next week promises further trade announcements impacting global economies.

BTC price dropped again while Trump was speaking. He is making statements regarding the trade war, viewing it as a weapon and leverage for improving the US economy.

The seriousness of the situation became evident recently. Although issues with Mexico and Canada were resolved temporarily, the new president is opening new fronts.

Trump and Cryptocurrencies

Trump’s arrival was fantastic for cryptocurrencies in terms of regulation. However, it is turning out to be disastrous for the global economy. Following China, Mexico, and Canada, he announced that there would be additional tariffs on Japan as well. Moreover, he promises much more. Trump mentioned that he would announce decisions on additional tariffs with several countries next week.

As the weekend approaches with low trading volume, Trump essentially dropped a bomb in the cryptocurrency space.

▪️I will talk with Putin.
▪️I will meet with the President of China.
▪️I will discuss the Nippon agreement with Ishiba.
▪️I will make an announcement regarding mutual trade next week.
▪️Tariffs on Japan are an option.
▪️Tariffs are a way to cover the budget deficit.
▪️Next week, I will announce mutual tariffs for many countries.
▪️I hope to meet with Zelenskiy next week to discuss the security of their rare earth elements.

@ Newshounds News™

Source: CoinTurk News

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MISSOURI BILL PROPOSES BITCOIN RESERVE FUND FOR STATE INVESTMENTS

House Bill 1217, introduced by Representative Ben Keathley, aims to establish a Bitcoin reserve fund for Missouri and mandate crypto acceptance for state payments.

Missouri Representative Ben Keathley introduced House Bill 1217, which proposes the creation of a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Fund to diversify the state’s investment portfolio.

On Feb. 6, Keathley filed HB 1217, proposing the US state of Missouri diversify its portfolio to include Bitcoin as a hedge against fiat currency inflation. If signed into law, the bill will allow the Missouri treasurer “to receive, invest, and hold Bitcoin under certain circumstances.”

Additionally, Keathley’s HB 1217 proposed a long-term Bitcoin hodl strategy for the state:

“The treasurer shall store all Bitcoin collected under sub-section 2 of this section for a minimum of five years from the date that the Bitcoin enters the state’s custody.”

@ Newshounds News™