The US Senate Banking Committee has once again delayed work on the highly anticipated crypto market structure bill, now expected to be considered in late February or March, according to sources cited by Bloomberg. The legislation, designed to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets, has faced repeated setbacks, leaving industry stakeholders uncertain about the future of crypto regulation in the United States. Instead of focusing on the digital asset bill, the committee will pivot to housing legislation, following President Donald Trump’s recent push to address affordability and support the “American Dream.”
The crypto community has voiced frustration over the delay, emphasizing that a multi-trillion-dollar industry cannot operate effectively without clear regulatory guidance. Patrick Witt, White House Executive Director of the President’s Crypto Council, stressed the urgent need for the bill’s implementation, highlighting the risks of prolonged uncertainty for both businesses and investors.
The legislation, formally known as the CLARITY Act, faced additional hurdles when Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong publicly withdrew support, citing concerns over a de facto ban on tokenized equities. Despite these challenges, the Bloomberg report noted that the Banking Committee’s postponement may not directly impact the Senate Agriculture Committee, which has developed its own version of the market structure bill. Industry insiders, however, remain cautious, noting that the Agriculture Committee’s draft could face partisan divisions and might lack Democratic backing. Committee Chairman John Boozman emphasized that the bill represents months of bipartisan stakeholder input, but its markup has been postponed to late January.
For the CLARITY Act to advance, both the Agriculture Committee and the Banking counterpart will need to align on policy, making bipartisan cooperation essential. President Trump, speaking at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, expressed optimism that the bill will be signed “very soon,” reaffirming his administration’s commitment to maintaining America’s leadership in the global crypto market.
From a market perspective, the delay adds a layer of uncertainty that could affect investor sentiment and strategic planning for firms operating in digital assets. Regulatory clarity is widely seen as a critical factor for institutional adoption, market stability, and the development of innovative financial products. While the US remains a leading hub for crypto innovation, prolonged legislative delays risk ceding momentum to jurisdictions with more immediate regulatory frameworks.
Looking ahead, the crypto industry will be closely monitoring both the Banking and Agriculture Committees for progress. The eventual passage of a clear, bipartisan framework could solidify the United States’ position as a global leader in crypto, but continued delays may introduce volatility and slow growth in the short term. Stakeholders are advised to prepare for a shifting regulatory landscape, while tracking any updates from the Senate over the next several weeks.
