Crypto Week Wraps with High Hopes as Experts Urge Focus Beyond Regulation

The recently concluded Crypto Week ended on a strong note with the landmark passage of the GENIUS Act, marking a historic shift in the regulatory landscape for digital assets. However, experts across the blockchain space are cautioning that this is merely the beginning, not the end, of crypto’s journey toward full integration with traditional financial and identity systems.

Leo Fan, co-founder of Cysic, told Cointelegraph that while the GENIUS Act provides much-needed legal clarity, it should be seen as “a starting point, not a finish line.” Fan emphasized that for true adoption to happen, the industry must prioritize building scalable infrastructure, instant verification systems, and secure custody solutions.

Fan welcomed the GENIUS Act’s recognition that not all crypto assets are securities, calling it a pivotal development that offers developers, investors, and institutions the legal certainty to innovate with confidence. “We’re finally seeing crypto acknowledged as foundational tech,” he said, noting this opens the door to its application in finance, digital identity, and privacy frameworks.

GENIUS Act Signals Strong Future for DeFi

Altan Tutar, CEO and co-founder of MoreMarkets, called the GENIUS Act “the clearest indicator yet that decentralized finance isn’t going anywhere.” He noted that this move helps the U.S. narrow the adoption gap with regions like Asia and anticipates a surge in stablecoin usage as traditional assets such as gold and oil become tokenized.

However, Tutar warned that institutional benefits shouldn’t overshadow the needs of everyday users. “We need more platforms that focus on payments, usability, and yield opportunities for retail users,” he said, warning against a crypto version of the early 2000s dot-com bubble.

Clear Legal Framework Bolsters Market Confidence

Ryan Chow, CEO of Solv Protocol, said the week’s events helped “lay a legal foundation” that will support digital assets with newfound structural legitimacy. Years of uncertainty, he explained, had hindered large-scale institutional adoption, but now builders have a framework that distinguishes decentralized tokens from traditional securities.

“This legal clarity is crucial,” Chow said, “but credibility is what sustains markets.” He called for new financial instruments like Bitcoin-backed credit, tokenized U.S. treasuries, and real-yield assets — all developed with clear risk disclosures and compliance measures.

Beyond Laws: Building for Mainstream Users

Will K, CEO of VOOI and co-founder of Symbiosis.Finance, echoed the sentiment that regulation alone won’t carry the crypto industry into the mainstream. He highlighted the urgent need for robust infrastructure, simplified interfaces, and AI-enhanced tools that empower non-technical users.

“The focus must shift from building for crypto-native users to serving the broader public,” Will warned. Without that pivot, he cautioned, crypto risks remaining a niche rather than becoming a truly global standard.

What the GENIUS Act Does

Passed with overwhelming bipartisan support — over 300 votes in the House, including 102 Democrats — the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act introduces the first-ever federal regulatory structure for stablecoins. This legislation not only legitimizes decentralized finance in the U.S. but also attempts to curb the influence of Big Tech and major banks in dominating this emerging financial space.