‘Threatened and undermined’: Trump blasts banks as crypto bill stalls, and analysts say $500B is at risk. How to prepare

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President Donald Trump is accusing banks of trying to derail his administration’s push for crypto reform after negotiations over a landmark digital-asset bill hit a new impasse in Washington.

“We are not going to allow them to undermine our powerful Crypto Agenda,” Trump wrote in a March 3 post on Truth Social, criticizing banks he says are trying to weaken legislation aimed at regulating the digital-asset industry (1).

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Negotiations have stalled after banks pushed back against provisions that could allow crypto firms to offer rewards on stablecoins and other digital products. They warn this could lure deposits away from the traditional banking system.

Analysts at Standard Chartered estimate that stablecoins, or cryptocurrency tied to a fiat currency, could pull as much as $500 billion from U.S. bank deposits by 2028 (2). This would reduce the pool of funds banks rely on to issue loans to customers.

The dispute centers on the Clarity Act, a bill designed to establish clear federal rules for crypto markets. Supporters say the legislation would provide long-awaited regulatory certainty for an industry that has spent years operating in a gray area (3).

Here’s what’s happening, and how you can support your portfolio if the crypto shakes up the market.

Banks fear crypto could drain deposits

At the center of the debate is a simple concern: Stablecoins compete directly with bank deposits, which are the lifeblood of the lending system.

Stablecoins are digital tokens typically pegged to the U.S. dollar and designed to maintain a stable value. Last year, on July 18, Trump signed the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act into law, which established the framework for stablecoin regulation.

Crypto companies have argued that offering rewards or incentives could help them attract users.

On the other side of the fence, lenders warn that reward-bearing stablecoins could encourage customers to move their savings out of bank accounts and into digital wallets. Importantly, under the GENIUS Act, stablecoins are not considered bank deposits and therefore do not have FDIC insurance, according to an analysis by Brookings (4).

That concern has become a major sticking point in recent negotiations.

“The Genius Act is being threatened and undermined by the Banks,” Trump wrote in the same Truth Social post. “That is unacceptable — We are not going to allow it.”

Trump argued that the U.S. should move quickly to pass crypto legislation to avoid losing the industry to other countries.

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Why the crypto bill could stall this year

Even before the banking dispute, the legislation faced significant political hurdles.

The bill still needs bipartisan support in the Senate, where at least seven Democrats would need to back the measure for it to pass.

Some lawmakers, such as Elizabeth Warren, have been outspoken about their concerns surrounding the ethics provisions and potential conflicts tied to elected officials benefiting from crypto ventures (5).

Timing may also work against the bill.

With lawmakers preparing for midterm election campaigns later this year, the window to pass major legislation is shrinking rapidly.

“If this doesn’t get passed and put in front of the President’s desk by July, I think everyone feels that window will have closed because of the mid-terms,” Adrian Wall, managing director of the Digital Sovereign Alliance, told Reuters.

“The calendar is becoming the enemy of this bill,” wrote Brian Gardner, chief Washington strategist at Stifel, in a note on March 3, 2026.

While lawmakers debate how to regulate digital assets, investors still have to decide how much risk they want to take on.

Crypto markets are notoriously volatile, and regulatory uncertainty can add another layer of unpredictability.

What investors can do amid crypto uncertainty

Even if crypto reform stalls in Washington, investors don’t have to sit on the sidelines. Many financial advisors recommend balancing speculative assets like crypto with diversified investments that can grow steadily over time.

Here are a few ways investors can build a more balanced strategy.

Diversify your portfolio with ETFs

One of the simplest ways to manage risk in uncertain markets is diversification.

Instead of putting all your money into one asset class, diversification spreads your investments across multiple sectors and asset types. That way, a downturn in one market doesn’t necessarily derail your whole portfolio.

For long-term investors, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have become one of the most popular ways to achieve diversification. ETFs allow you to buy into baskets of stocks, bonds or other assets with a single investment, making it easier to build a balanced portfolio without picking individual winners.

Getting started with investing in ETFs

The beauty of ETF investing is its accessibility — anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small amounts can grow over time with tools like Acorns, a popular app that automatically invests your spare change.

Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes: Link your cards, and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference — your spare change — into a diversified portfolio.

With Acorns, you can invest in a dividend ETF with as little as $5 — and, if you sign up today with a regular monthly deposit, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey.

Diversified ETFs can help investors gain broad market exposure, but some people prefer a more hands-on approach.

Open a brokerage account to expand your options

For investors who want more control over their portfolio, opening a brokerage account can unlock a wider range of opportunities.

Brokerage platforms allow you to buy individual stocks, ETFs and other securities directly. This makes it easy to tailor your portfolio to your goals, values and risk tolerance.

Platforms like Robinhood are designed to make investing simpler and more approachable.

If you prefer a more hands-on approach, you can also buy and sell individual stocks, fractional shares and options (for qualified traders) — backed by 24/7 support. Stocks, ETFs and their options trades are commission-free.

With access to popular ETFs like the Vanguard S&P 500, you can build diversified exposure without needing to pick individual stocks.

The platform also offers both a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA, so you can choose the tax strategy that fits your retirement plan.

With its recurring investment feature, you can set up automatic investments of your preferred fractional shares, stocks and ETFs on your own schedule.

Over time, this helps make investing a habit and steadily grows your portfolio.

Earn up to 3% on eligible account transfers to a taxable Robinhood account through March 25th. Risks and terms apply. Robinhood Gold ($5/mo) subscription may apply.

Use research tools to stay informed

Even experienced investors struggle to keep up with the constant flow of financial news, economic data and company reports.

That’s why many investors rely on research services to help them identify potential opportunities and understand market trends. These platforms analyze financial data, track market movements and deliver insight that can help investors make confident decisions.

For people who don’t have time to sift through earnings reports or financial filings themselves, curated research can simplify the process.

Moby offers expert research and recommendations to help you identify strong, long-term investments backed by advice from former hedge fund analysts.

In four years, and across almost 400 stock picks, their recommendations have beaten the S&P 500 by almost 12% on average. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Moby’s team spends hundreds of hours sifting through financial news and data to provide you with stock and crypto reports delivered straight to you. Their research keeps you up-to-the-minute on market shifts, and can help you reduce the guesswork behind choosing stocks and ETFs.

Plus, their reports are easy to understand for beginners, so you can become a smarter investor in just five minutes.

Even the best investment tools are only part of the equation.

Building lasting wealth usually requires a broader strategy — one that accounts for your income, spending habits, retirement goals and tolerance for market risk.

Make a financial plan

Building a strong financial future isn’t just about picking the right investment; it’s about having a clear plan for how your money works together.

That includes understanding how much risk you’re comfortable taking, how your investments fit into your long-term goals and whether your savings strategy can withstand market volatility.

For many people, getting professional guidance can make that process easier.

That’s where Advisor.com can come in. The platform connects you with an expert near you for free.

Advisor.com does the heavy lifting for you, vetting advisors based on track record, client ratios and regulatory background. Plus, their network comprises fiduciaries, who are legally required to act in your best interests.

Just enter a few details about your finances and goals, and Advisor.com’s AI-powered matching tool will connect you with a qualified expert best suited for your needs based on your unique financial goals and preferences.

Finding the right advisor isn’t always easy — there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why Advisor.com lets you set up a free initial consultation with no obligation to hire to see if they’re the right fit for you.

Once you’ve got the right financial advisor in your corner, the next step is getting a clear picture of where your money’s actually going. That starts with the basics — budgeting and tracking your spending.

The outcome of the crypto legislation remains uncertain, and the political window to pass it may be closing.

But for investors, the core principle remains the same: Building a plan can help you navigate the tough times, whether they come from markets, technology, or Washington.

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines](https://moneywise.com/editorial-ethics-and-guidelines)).

@realDonaldTrump (1); Reuters (2); Reuters (3); Brookings (4); CNBC (5)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.