Circle Internet Group Initial Public Offering at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City, U.S., June 5, 2025.
NYSE
Circle shares slid on Tuesday after the U.S. House of Representatives failed to clear a key procedural hurdle that would have teed up votes on long-awaited crypto-related bills.
The move dealt a major setback to the digital asset industry, which had framed this week as a turning point for regulatory clarity in Washington, D.C.
Circle, the stablecoin issuer that’s soared in value since its public market debut last month, fell about 5% after the vote. Crypto exchange Coinbase and bitcoin miner MARA Holdings both slipped about 2%.
Even after Tuesday’s drop, Circle shares are still up more than sixfold from their IPO price. The company is the issuer of USDC, the second-largest dollar-pegged stablecoin, with about 24% of the global market. Circle didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
The legislation, including the GENIUS Act, would mark the first time the U.S. sets federal rules for stablecoins, a $260 billion corner of the crypto market that underpins most digital asset trading. The bill establishes full-reserve requirements, mandates monthly audits, and creates a path for private companies to issue regulated digital dollars under the blessing of the U.S. government.
The GENIUS Act passed the Senate last month, a milestone for both the crypto industry and for President Donald Trump, who has pushed to align his administration with digital asset innovation. It also marked a win for the industry, which spent more than $245 million in the 2024 cycle to help elect what’s now seen as the most pro-crypto Congress in U.S. history.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said the market for U.S. stablecoins could grow eightfold to more than $2 trillion in the coming years if this bill is enacted. White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks had predicted it could unlock “trillions” of dollars in demand for U.S. Treasury notes virtually overnight.
The vote came just hours after Fairshake, the crypto industry’s most powerful PAC, disclosed $141 million in cash on hand as it fights for regulatory victories and backs pro-crypto candidates heading into the 2026 midterms. The committee didn’t provide a comment for this story.
House leadership is tentatively planning a second vote as early as Tuesday evening, though it’s unclear whether the rule or bill text will be modified to satisfy holdouts.
WATCH: Stablecoin showdown moves to the House after Senate clears crypto’s landmark bill
