Having been in the crypto space for so many years, I dare say this is not just a simple policy adjustment. The US is integrating digital assets into the traditional banking system, which is a strategic turning point. The entire industry landscape is about to be rewritten.

What changes are the bills proposing? Banks will officially participate in three major areas:

Large banks will be able to directly offer digital asset custody, staking, and payment services, all operating within a clear regulatory framework. Cynthia Lummis, chair of the Senate Banking Committee on Digital Assets, recently stated very plainly: integrating crypto assets into a regulated banking system can effectively protect consumers on one hand, and on the other, fully unleash the growth potential of this industry. Moreover, legislative progress is clearly accelerating; the revision meetings that had been stalled for several months are now scheduled to start in the second week of January. This is a critical milestone for whether the bill can truly be implemented.

Why is this so crucial?

First, the compliance chain is now complete. Bank participation means institutional-level custody, staking, and payment infrastructure will be established, quickly addressing trust issues and regulatory gaps that have long troubled the industry. This reduces the psychological barriers for large capital inflows. Second, the rules are now clear. The boundaries of banking operations and regulatory requirements are explicitly defined, eliminating the need to operate in gray areas. Industry compliance costs and uncertainties will significantly decrease. Lastly, the integration of traditional finance and crypto assets is truly beginning. Banks have funds, channels, and customers; crypto assets have innovative properties and growth potential. When these two come together, the growth in transaction volume and application scenarios will not be linear but explosive.

Opportunities and risks are both in sight

On the opportunity side, demand for custody and staking will surge. Segments like compliant mining pools, institutional DeFi, and cross-border payments will directly benefit. Mainstream assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum have room for liquidity and valuation growth. But don’t overlook the risks—short-term, the industry may experience a wave of adjustments, and some business models that don’t comply with the new rules may face transformation pressures.