This Week in Crypto News (September 15th – September 21st): Regulatory Shift, U.S. Stablecoin Moves & El Salvador’s Next Steps
SEC Signals a Softening on Enforcement
Under new leadership, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has shifted its posture. Chair Paul Atkins has stated that businesses will now be notified of technical violations before punitive action is taken. Previous policies, often viewed as unpredictable and aggressive, are being reconsidered.
Why it matters: This change could reduce regulatory risk for many players in the crypto ecosystem exchanges, DeFi platforms, stablecoin issuers, and may promote innovation by offering clearer, more certain compliance expectations.
Tether Moves to Launch a U.S.-Compliant Stablecoin (USAT)
As we saw last week, Tether is preparing to issue a U.S.-based stablecoin, USAT, through Anchorage Digital Bank, specifically designed to comply with the recently enacted GENIUS Act.
Why it matters: If USAT succeeds, it offers a domestic, regulation-friendly alternative to USDT for U.S. users and institutions. This could shift demand away from foreign stablecoins, especially where regulatory clarity and compliance are a concern.
UK Proposes Caps on Stablecoin Ownership
The Bank of England has outlined potential limits on how much stablecoin individuals and businesses can hold: approximately £10,000–£20,000 per person and £10 million for businesses. The proposal is driven by concerns over financial stability.
Why it matters: Such caps, if adopted, could limit adoption or usage among high-net-worth individuals and businesses in the UK. It also may influence other jurisdictions considering stablecoin regulation.
El Salvador Plans Bitcoin Banks
El Salvador has announced plans to establish Bitcoin-first banking institutions before the end of 2025. These banks would leverage Bitcoin infrastructure and likely deepen the country’s integration of crypto in its financial system.
Why it matters: Sovereign moves like this serve both symbolic and practical roles: they can encourage investment, influence perception of risk in emerging markets, and become case studies for how countries might integrate crypto at a national scale.
Bottom Line
This week brings a strong regulatory current: U.S. agencies are easing enforcement pressures, stablecoin frameworks are tightening (but also opening new opportunities), and stablecoin ownership is becoming a policy front in the UK. Meanwhile, El Salvador continues to push on adoption, moving toward institutional infrastructure for Bitcoin.
For investors and projects alike, the message is clear: regulation is no longer just a risk to dodge, it’s now also a driver of strategy. Those who anticipate change, adapt operations, and align with emerging frameworks may gain the advantage in the weeks ahead.
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