Bitcoin Policy Hour: The Fight Over Stablecoins & Crypto Market Structure

About this episode

The episode discusses the political battle over stablecoins and its implications for Bitcoin in the U.S.

Why are banks fighting stablecoin yield and why does it matter for Bitcoin? Zack Shapiro, Ken Egan, and Zack Cohen, break down the political battle unfolding in the U.S. Senate and why Coinbase’s opposition could derail market structure reform in the latest Senate bill. From developer protections to self-custody rights, this episode explores what’s at stake for the future of Bitcoin in the United States. 🔶 Connect with Zack Shapiro on X: https://x.com/zackbshapiro 🔶 Connect with Zack Cohen on X: https://x.com/zackcohen_ 🔶 Connect with Ken Egan on X: https://x.com/Bayman11771 🔶 Learn more about the Bitcoin Policy Institute: https://www.btcpolicy.org/ Chapters: 00:00 – Why U.S. Payments Lag Behind the World 05:05 – What the Market Structure Bill Is Trying to Do 10:10 – Stablecoin Yield and Coinbase’s Breaking Point 15:20 – Banking Lobby Power and Protectionism 20:15 – Developer Protections and Self-Custody Explained 25:00 – Why No Bill Could Be Worse Than a Bad Bill 30:00 – DOJ, Samurai Wallet, and the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve 35:30 – De Minimis Tax Exemptions and Network Fees 40:45 – Market Structure vs Crypto Tax Legislation 46:30 – Iran, Geopolitics, and Bitcoin’s Policy…

People in this episode

Guests: Zack Shapiro, Ken Egan, Zack Cohen

Topics covered

• stablecoins
• crypto market structure
• U.S. Senate
• banking lobby
• developer protections
• self-custody rights
• Bitcoin regulation

Keywords

• stablecoin yield
• market structure reform
• banking lobby power
• self-custody rights
• Bitcoin regulation
• DOJ
• geopolitics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Coinbase, Bitcoin Policy Institute

Places: United States

More episodes of Bitcoin Policy Institute

• Bitcoin Policy Hour: Crypto-Redollarization: Gold, Tether & Bitcoin Shaping the New Monetary Order · February 16, 2026 · 53 min
• Congressman Warren Davidson Unveils the “Bitcoin for America Act” | Spotlight Series #1 · November 20, 2025 · 21 min
• Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 15: Washington's Crypto Power Grab Explained · October 31, 2025 · 56 min
• Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 14: China's "Gold War", US Adds 127k BTC to Reserve? · October 23, 2025 · 1h 2m
• Hash Handcuffs: How Sanctions Collide with Censorship-Resistant Money · October 6, 2025 · 54 min
• Bitcoin Policy Hour Ep. 13: The War on Bitcoin Wallets, Why CLARITY is Make or Break · October 3, 2025 · 53 min