Some folks in the libertarian crowd are seeing the GENIUS Act as a win - a sign that the government finally gets crypto, fostering innovation under a federal framework. In theory, that would be amazing... if it were true. But when you look closer at what this legislation does and how it treats stablecoins, you find a Trojan horse: a path toward programmable money, surveillance, and control—all under the guise of legitimacy. So, in an attempt to remove the wool from the eyes of those who still don't see it, here are ten reasons government-compliant stablecoins are practically indistinguishable from CBDCs.

What the GENIUS Act Actually Does

The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act of 2025, or the GENIUS Act, creates the first federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins. It mandates 1:1 backing with U.S. dollars or Treasuries, subjects issuers to AML/KYC rules, and orders regular reserve audits. Crucially, it even requires that issuers have built-in tech to freeze, seize, or burn stablecoins on command—turning them into permissioned digital money. The law passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, a rare feat outside war or corporate bailouts.