Total stablecoin market cap reached $317 billion as of early April, up over 50% since the start of 2025. USDT holds $140 billion in circulation, USDC approaching $60 billion.

The CLARITY Act is pushing toward Senate floor debate with a Banking Committee markup deadline at end of April. It would establish token classification, market structure standards, and DeFi oversight in a single bill. If it passes before the August recess it would be the most comprehensive US crypto legislation ever.

USDC is positioning hard for institutional DeFi, USDT is facing more regulatory friction. The gap between the two is becoming a regulatory story, not just a market cap story.