Congress is poised to make a historic move in US crypto regulation as Senator Cynthia Lummis’s bipartisan market structure bill approaches a January 2026 markup.
After a decade of uncertainty, the legislation promises to bring clarity for innovators, protect consumers, and ensure that digital asset growth happens on American soil rather than overseas.
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Regulatory Momentum Grows as Lummis Steps Back
Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis, a longtime champion of digital asset clarity, announced on December 19 that she will not seek reelection. Despite stepping back, she reaffirmed her commitment to advancing her bipartisan bill.
“Our digital asset market structure bill provides the clarity innovators in the industry need while protecting consumers,” Lummis tweeted on Sunday.
She emphasized that clear rules are essential to fostering US-based innovation. The post comes barely a day after the Wyoming senator highlighted another key regulatory breakthrough: Governor Waller’s skinny master account framework.
According to the senator, the plan ends Operation Chokepoint 2.0 and opens the door to real payments innovation.
The crypto community is watching closely. Meanwhile, SEC Chair Paul Atkins and industry figures such as Merlijn the Trader have stressed that the bill could provide unprecedented regulatory certainty.
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“After a decade of uncertainty, the framework is finally forming. Markets are rarely priced for regulatory certainty,” Merlijn noted.
Meanwhile, David Sacks, Trump’s AI and crypto Czar, confirmed progress with congressional leaders.
“…we are closer than ever to passing the landmark crypto market structure legislation that President Trump has called for. We look forward to finishing the job in January!” Sacks wrote.
SEC’s Project Crypto Paves the Way
In November 2025, further clarity emerged with SEC Chair Paul Atkins’s “Project Crypto,” which introduced a four-part token taxonomy. The framework separates digital commodities, collectibles, tools, and tokenized securities.
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Most tokens, unless tied to ongoing investment contracts, are now defined outside SEC oversight, providing industry stakeholders with long-awaited guidance.
Broker-dealer custody rules were also clarified, and the SEC hosted privacy roundtables to strike a balance between innovation and market integrity.
Bank Access, Agency Coordination, and Future Steps
December marked additional milestones. The FDIC approved full insurance for a national crypto bank on December 16, and stablecoin payment accounts entered the public comment period.
The Federal Reserve’s master account framework is expected to expand banking access for compliant crypto institutions. Leadership confirmations at the CFTC and FDIC, along with laws like the SAFE Crypto Act, reflect bipartisan momentum toward comprehensive regulatory reform.
The January markup represents a turning point. If passed, the Lummis bill could:
- Solidify US leadership in digital assets,
- Provide long-sought regulatory clarity for entrepreneurs, and
- Ensure the country remains competitive in the fast-paced global crypto arena.
With bipartisan support and industry optimism building, 2026 could finally mark the year America tames crypto chaos.