GENIUS Act Makes Blockchain Shift Hard to Reverse, says a16z Crypto's Miles Jennings

a16z Crypto's Miles Jennings believes that the GENIUS Act, signed into law on July 18, 2025, has made it difficult for future administrations to undo the shift of finance onto blockchains. Speaking at the a16z Crypto Korea Summit in Seoul on October 1, 2026, Jennings argued that the act's anchoring of stablecoin rules inside a structured regulatory framework makes it resistant to reversal. The GENIUS Act sets up a framework for payment stablecoins in the US, imposing strict requirements on issuers, including holding 1:1 reserves of high-quality liquid assets.

Jennings framed the act as a foundational measure that gives decentralized protocols room to grow while adding clarity and stability to the broader regulatory picture. He noted that a statute is different from agency guidance, with unwinding a law passed by Congress requiring Congress to act again, which is a slower and more public process.

The GENIUS Act's clear definition of stablecoin rules could give issuers improved access to traditional financial markets and institutional investors, enhancing liquidity and market stability. As South Korea and the broader Asian market engage with digital asset infrastructure, alignment with US rules could encourage cross-border investment and joint initiatives.