NFTs Find New Role in US 250th Anniversary Celebrations

The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY Act) has moved to the U.S. Senate Legislative Calendar, aiming to create a permanent boundary between federal agencies for regulating digital assets. But its path is anything but clear. The bill has hit major roadblocks tied to ethics disputes and law enforcement worries. On Polymarket, prediction markets now show just a 47-48% chance of passage, down sharply from over 74%. With limited session days before the August recess and competing national security priorities, time is running short.

SEC and CFTC Provide Token Taxonomy

Meanwhile, the SEC and CFTC jointly issued a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that creates the first formal five-part token taxonomy. A key point: digital collectibles are now explicitly classified as non-securities. This gives the NFT art market some regulatory breathing room. Gone is the 2021 speculative frenzy. Instead, we see a more curated ecosystem focusing on high-end digital art tied to America’s 250th anniversary. On Flag Day, June 14th, which also marked the 80th birthday of the nation’s first crypto President, museums began showing their dedication to preserving digital art for future generations through USA 250 themed exhibitions.

Museum of Art + Light Opens Permanent Digital Collection

The Museum of Art + Light (MoA+L) just unveiled its permanent digital art collection. It includes over 40 works from 15 internationally recognized digital artists. Created alongside Iconic, this collection is a big step for institutional support of digital art in the U.S. Chris Cummings, Iconic’s Founder and CEO, said the partnership always believed digital art deserves the same institutional support as any other medium. He added they were honored to help build a collection that celebrates today’s leading digital artists and creates a future cultural resource.

MoA+L is the first contemporary art museum designed from the start for immersive, digital, and permanent collections. The collection spans generative art, AI-assisted works, digital poetry, blockchain-native artworks, and hybrid physical-to-digital pieces. Executive Director Erin Dragotto emphasized that building a permanent digital collection was foundational to their vision. She noted that while other museums explore digital art, MoA+L built intentionally from the ground up, ensuring influential tech-focused artists will be preserved and shared with audiences for generations.

Statue of Liberty Art Show Launches at National Lighthouse Museum

On June 14th, the National Lighthouse Museum (NLM) kicked off the Statue of Liberty Art Show, running through January 2nd, 2027. Curated by Stevie Peters, the show features a historical photo of Lady Liberty from her arrival in NY Harbor, on loan from Victoria Westhead. It also includes oil paintings by award-winning artists Hunt Slonem and Selva Ozelli.

Hunt Slonem presents his signature series featuring bunnies, birds, and butterflies alongside a US flag symbolizing abundance and hope. His Abraham Lincoln series portrays Lincoln as a symbol of law and personal liberty. Slonem shared an anecdote about Marilyn Monroe keeping a picture of Lincoln on her desk, saying she didn’t know her father, so it might as well be Lincoln. He also mentioned working with diviners who channeled Lincoln, guiding him to paint doves as symbols of freedom.

Selva Ozelli contributes her Ocean Lovers-Angel Fish Flag CCL, a 20 by 13 foot US flag from her Flag CCL series. It represents the seven rays on the Statue of Liberty’s crown, reflecting the world’s seven continents, seven seas, and angel fish as symbols of hope and peace. Ozelli said she was honored to join the show alongside a historical photo of Lady Liberty and her favorite artist Hunt Slonem.

For 140 years, the Statue of Liberty has served as a global symbol of liberty, freedom, democracy, and hope. The NLM’s Executive Director Linda Dianto emphasized Lady Liberty’s personal significance for people worldwide, representing security and constancy. The museum invites everyone to see the Statue of Liberty Art Show or visit Lady Liberty herself. The highlight will be “SAIL 4th 250…Where Light Meets Liberty!” from July 3-8, 2026. This international maritime gathering, part of America’s Semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary, is expected to be the largest in U.S. history, featuring over 30 tall ships sailing up the Hudson River. The museum will host a July 4 Watch Party Breakfast as a key viewing spot.

Selva Ozelli Esq, CPA, is an international digital asset legal expert and author of “Sustainably Investing in Digital Assets Globally.” Her writings appear in over 200 global publications, and she serves as a media commentator on digital asset regulation, tax, and technology.

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