Bitwise Executive Highlights Crypto's Safe Haven Role Amid Geopolitical Tensions; US House Pushes Stablecoin Clarity Act

Bitwise executive Matt Hougan recently asserted that last weekend's Iran attack demonstrated digital assets' role as a crisis safe haven, highlighting the inevitable shift to on-chain finance. Concurrently, House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill urged the Senate to adopt the House-passed Clarity Act language concerning stablecoin yield disputes. Further legislative action saw the Indiana Governor sign HB 1042, protecting Bitcoin rights and permitting digital assets in state retirement plans. CFTC Chair Michael Selig backed former President Trump's call to advance the Clarity Act, while Trump accused banks of undermining crypto legislation. The European Central Bank warned that rising stablecoin usage could impact bank deposits and monetary policy. In industry news, Ripple expanded its Payments platform, and Visa plans to launch stablecoin-linked cards in over 100 countries by year-end through its partnership with Stripe-backed Bridge.