Crypto vs. Banks: Who Controls America’s Money? | Summer Mersinger

Crypto vs. Banks — the proxy war for the future of money is heating up.
Summer Mersinger, CEO of the Blockchain Association and former CFTC Commissioner, joins Bankless to unpack the battle over the GENIUS Act, why banks are fighting to roll it back, and how stablecoins have become the frontline. From Elizabeth Warren’s fading influence to the $700M bank lobbying machine, we explore what’s really happening on Capitol Hill, the global stakes for stablecoins, and how upcoming U.S. policy could reshape innovation, regulation, and consumer freedom.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro
1:12 The GENIUS Act Victory
8:49 How Laws Really Get Made
16:17 The Bank Lobby vs. The Crypto Lobby
20:29 The Shifting Politics of Crypto
27:29 Will Banks Go Crypto?
33:10 International Dimension
37:14 CFTC, SEC, and Market Structure
52:26 DC Drama & Leadership Vacancies
55:42 Prediction Markets & Policy Battles
1:00:07 Looking Ahead to 2026
1:02:15 Closing Thoughts

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RESOURCES

Summer Mersinger
https://x.com/SKMersinger

Blockchain Association
https://x.com/BlockchainAssn

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Not financial or tax advice. See our investment disclosures here:
https://www.bankless.com/disclosures