Despite a surprising postponement of the markup for the crypto market structure bill known as the CLARITY Act, lawmakers are maintaining a hopeful outlook for the passage of the legislation.
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott announced the delay on Wednesday, stating that bipartisan negotiations are ongoing. He characterized the pause as tactical rather than indicative of failure.
Coinbase CEO Voices Alarm Over CLARITY Act’s Potential Impact
In a message on social media platform X (previously Twitter), Scott expressed confidence, noting, “I’ve spoken with leaders across the crypto industry, the financial sector, and my Democratic and Republican colleagues, and everyone remains at the table working in good faith.”
In an interview with Fox News prior to the cancellation of the markup, Scott noted that the Republican Party has made significant efforts to incorporate bipartisan support into the legislation.
“We’ve taken over 90 of the Democrats’ priorities and filtered them,” he explained. Scott highlighted key issues, such as anti-money laundering (AML) measures, which are important to both parties, aligning on national security concerns.
However, the momentum faced a setback when Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong withdrew the company’s support for the CLARITY Act in its current form.
Armstrong raised concerns that the bill could prohibit tokenized equities, impose restrictions on decentralized finance (DeFi), and expand government access to financial data at the expense of individual privacy.
The executive also cautioned that the legislation could shift power from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and eliminate stablecoin rewards, potentially sidelining crypto competition.
Crypto Czar Urges Industry To Resolve Differences
Following the postponement of the vote, White House crypto czar David Sacks urged the industry to use this delay to address any remaining disagreements. “Passage of market structure legislation remains as close as it’s ever been,” Sacks stated on X.
The Trump administration continues to express a commitment to collaborating with Scott, the Senate Banking Committee, and industry stakeholders to advance bipartisan crypto legislation as swiftly as possible.
Although the specifics of the bill are still under negotiation, there is widespread consensus among both asset managers and experts that federal intervention is crucial not only for the growth of cryptocurrency but also for consumer protection.
Kyle Wool, CEO of Dominari Securities, shared his perspective, stating, “As newer, more fringe industries grow and capital increases, there will be a greater need for oversight from regulators.”
He outlined that proper regulations should not stifle innovation but instead ensure that markets remain fair, honest, and efficient for all investors. Wool added that such measures would also make the crypto market accessible to a broader audience, enhancing liquidity and depth.
Pro-crypto Senator Cynthia Lummis, who has been an advocate for the growth and development of the digital asset industry, asserted that lawmakers are now “closer than ever,” with ongoing negotiations leaning toward a bipartisan agreement.
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