Wyoming senator applauded as crypto firm Circle reverses course on blocking payments related to firearms.
A major victory for financial freedom and a strong reminder that Wyoming’s voice carries weight in Washington.
Earlier this week, Circle, the company behind the widely used USDC stablecoin, announced it had reversed its internal policy that prevented transactions tied to legal firearm and ammunition sales. The move came after pressure from Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and several of her Senate colleagues, who argued that private companies should not discriminate against lawful commerce or Second Amendment activity.
“No company should be in the business of determining which legal industries Americans can participate in,” said Lummis, who has consistently fought against what she calls “financial deplatforming” by banks and payment processors.
Background: Circle’s Controversial Policy
Circle, one of the largest players in the cryptocurrency industry, had quietly adopted a policy blocking USDC transactions connected to “firearms or ammunition.” That stance sparked outrage among gun-rights advocates and lawmakers, who argued that digital finance platforms were imposing ideological restrictions on lawful activity.
After Lummis and others raised the issue, Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire announced a full reversal, calling it an “error” and pledging to ensure USDC remains “open, neutral, and censorship-resistant.”
The policy change immediately drew praise from both the Senate Western Caucus and Second Amendment groups, who credited Lummis with leading the charge.
“Senator Lummis has been one of the few in Washington who truly understands both the constitutional and digital-currency implications of financial censorship,” said a statement from the Gun Owners of America. “Wyoming should be proud to have her in this fight.”
Lummis: Defender of Both Bitcoin and the Bill of Rights
For years, Lummis has stood out as one of the Senate’s most outspoken defenders of Bitcoin, decentralized finance, and individual financial sovereignty. She has argued that whether a person stores wealth in a savings account, a crypto wallet, or even uses digital dollars, their rights to transact freely must be protected.
Her bipartisan work on crypto legislation, including the Lummis-Gillibrand Responsible Financial Innovation Act, has earned her a reputation as the “Bitcoin Senator.” But this latest fight over Circle’s policy ties together two core Wyoming values: financial independence and personal freedom.
“Whether you’re buying a hunting rifle in Pinedale or supporting a digital startup in Cheyenne, the same principles apply,” Lummis said earlier this year. “Government — and corporations acting like government — shouldn’t decide what lawful Americans can buy.”
Why It Matters for Wyoming
Wyoming has long prided itself on being the first state to recognize digital assets in law, attracting crypto companies while maintaining a deep respect for personal rights. Lummis’s role in pushing Circle to reverse course reinforces the message that financial innovation and constitutional freedom can coexist, and that Wyoming remains at the forefront of both.
For locals in Jackson, the issue extends beyond politics. As digital payment platforms grow and banking policies tighten, the senator’s work ensures that law-abiding business owners from outfitters and guides to firearms retailers won’t be locked out of the financial system simply for operating in the outdoor industry.
In an era when both Big Tech and Big Finance often act without accountability, Lummis’ win on the Circle issue is a clear statement: Wyoming won’t be sidelined, and freedom still matters in the digital age. She continues to prove that even from a small, fiercely independent state, a principled voice can shape national policy, whether on the blockchain or on the range.
AntlersArch founder and the voice behind Teton Tattle.
