As a fintech analyst who's seen crypto's wild ride since 2017, I can't help but marvel at the irony: Bitcoin's original vision of decentralized peer-to-peer cash has been realized – not by BTC itself, but by dollar-pegged stablecoins like USDT and USDC. This article unpacks their decade-long evolution, from crypto's 'wild west' era to becoming federally regulated payment instruments under bills like the Clarity Act. We'll analyze how Tether executed its 'oil-for-crypto' strategy, why Circle bet everything on compliance, and what the new regulatory landscape means for RWA and tokenized finance.

Over 20 crypto lawyers have penned an open letter to President Trump, outlining how his administration can create a regulatory environment that fosters cryptocurrency innovation. The letter, exclusively obtained by CoinDesk, details key policy recommendations across SEC and CFTC oversight, stablecoin legislation, and tax reforms. As a fintech analyst, I break down why this could be America's chance to reclaim blockchain leadership—if policymakers don't botch it with outdated thinking.