GENIUS Act of 2025 Introduces New Stablecoin Regulations, SoFi Launches Bitcoin Lightning for International Transfers

's latest price was $, in the last 24 hours. The GENIUS Act of 2025, introduced in the United States, marks a significant milestone in the regulation of payment stablecoins. This federal framework aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the U.S. payment system, fostering greater trust in digital currencies. The act is spearheaded by key players, including the Federal Reserve Board and Senator Bill Hagerty, who emphasize the importance of clear regulatory standards for stablecoin issuance. Senator Hagerty highlighted that establishing these standards will enhance transparency, safety, and public trust in digital payment systems.

The legislation introduces new regulatory measures for stablecoin issuers, with a particular focus on reserve management. These guidelines are expected to influence the distribution of USD liquidity and potentially increase demand for U.S. Treasuries. The act's impact extends beyond stablecoins, as it may indirectly affect major cryptocurrencies like ETH and BTC through changes in capital flows. Official reports anticipate significant growth in stablecoin reserves, which could have implications for the Treasury market. Historical patterns suggest that this growth could put downward pressure on Treasury yields, according to an expert from the Kansas City Fed.

SoFi Technologies has made a significant move in the fintech industry by integrating Bitcoin Lightning and UMA for fast, low-cost international transfers. This initiative makes SoFi the first U.S. bank to utilize the Bitcoin network and Universal Money Address for such services. The new service will allow individuals in the United States, Mexico, and other regions to send funds using the Bitcoin Lightning Network. SoFi has partnered with Lightspark, a Bitcoin payment-focused company, to launch this blockchain-based money transfer platform. The collaboration highlights how traditional banks are beginning to adopt new technology to enhance their products. Anthony Noto, the CEO of SoFi, stated that this move is a major step in the right direction, as fast and cheap transfers are significant to SoFi members who often remit money to relatives or friends abroad. The addition of this feature to the SoFi application makes blockchain technology easy to use, assisting members in transferring funds more quickly and efficiently. David Marcus, the CEO and co-founder of Lightspark, commended SoFi on its innovative strategy, noting that UMA is fast, cheap, and secure, which is why digital banks prefer it. The open network that UMA relies on Bitcoin is unlike other payment systems, and the increasing number of people on the waiting list for the service demonstrates the growing interest in this new method of money management.

The new money transfer service will start later this year with low fees, charging among the lowest rates to transfer money internationally, beating the national average. The exchange rates and fees will be revealed to members before they send any money, and the service will be available 24/7 within the SoFi app. This eliminates the need for additional applications, making the process straightforward. SoFi will convert U.S. dollars to Bitcoin within a short duration of time, with the funds moving across borders through the Lightning Network. After that, it will be converted to the local currency and directly deposited in the recipient's bank account. This approach makes the transfers fast and secure, with a smooth and trusted experience across the network of partner banks and platforms that Lightspark has. The service will initially be available in Mexico, with more countries to be on-boarded later. This step-by-step plan aims at speed, security, and reliability in the early stages, with other countries following as the service expands. This hybrid of traditional banking and new crypto technology may inspire other banks to attempt similar innovations, potentially defining the future of international finance in new and interesting ways.