Cryptocurrency prices have taken a big jump in recent weeks, with Bitcoin leading the charge. Over the past 12 months, the price of Bitcoin has surged by 74%, far outpacing traditional stock market gains like the S&P 500, which rose around 17% in the same period.

Speaking on Taking Stock with Kalilah Reynolds, Founder of Wealth Watch JA, Julian Morrison said the United State’s recently passed Genius Act could be one reason for the spike.

He explained that the law gives clear rules for how digital currencies like Bitcoin should be treated, making it easier and safer for big financial companies to get involved.

“The Genius Act means more institutions are going to have to take more crypto demand,” he said. “That’s potential upside, not based on hype, but on real change in the law.”

The law allows large firms like Fidelity and BlackRock to step into the crypto space. That means more money is flowing into coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum. And when big players start buying, prices usually go up.

But Morrison warns that crypto is still risky. While the gains can be big, the losses can be even bigger. Bitcoin’s drawdown, how much it can fall from its highest point, is 122%, compared to 28.5% for the S&P 500.

“Just because something went up more doesn’t mean it’s safer,” Morrison said. “Some coins go up for no reason at all. People need to be careful and do their research.”

He also explained that not all cryptocurrencies are created equal. Some, like Dogecoin, were started as jokes and don’t have strong technology behind them.

Still, with clearer rules in place and major institutions getting involved, the crypto market is getting more attention than ever. Investors—big and small—will be watching closely to see what happens next.