US Crypto Rules Take Shape with Stablecoins and Tax Reporting

The US government has finally made significant progress in shaping clear crypto regulations for investors and businesses. The new rules, dubbed US Crypto Rules 2026, are built on three separate tracks: a stablecoin law already in force, a market structure bill still pending in the Senate, and new IRS tax reporting requirements that took effect this year.

The GENIUS Act, which became law in July 2025, sets the baseline for payment stablecoins. It requires issuers to hold a 1:1 reserve in cash or short-term Treasuries and to disclose reserve composition monthly. Issuers above $50 billion in market capitalization must publish annual audited financial statements.

The GENIUS Act also bans marketing that implies a stablecoin carries FDIC insurance or a government guarantee. The Treasury Department is still writing regulations that will implement the law, which will continue through 2026 before the full compliance regime takes effect.