What did Chris Perkins say about the crypto industry without the CLARITY Act?

Chris Perkins, CEO of 250 Digital Asset Management, said the US crypto industry will be “just fine” even if the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act does not pass. He argues that regulators are already creating enough guidance for the industry to operate.

Why does Perkins believe crypto can function without new legislation?

Perkins points to ongoing work by the SEC and CFTC, which are actively shaping rules and interpretations for crypto. He believes this regulatory activity is already providing the clarity and stability the market needs.

What is the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act?

The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act is a proposed US law aimed at defining how crypto assets are regulated. It seeks to establish clearer rules around whether tokens are securities or commodities and how they should be overseen.

How has the treatment of crypto as a “security” changed?

Perkins said being classified as a security used to be a “death sentence” for crypto projects under stricter enforcement. Now, he believes the framework has evolved, making it more manageable for projects to comply.

Why would passing the CLARITY Act still matter?

Even though the industry can operate without it, Perkins said passing the law would lock in regulatory clarity. This would make it harder for future governments to reverse policies or create uncertainty.

How does this compare to the previous regulatory environment?

Under former SEC chair Gary Gensler, crypto projects labeled as securities often faced enforcement actions and limited pathways to compliance. The current environment is seen as more flexible and constructive.

Who else is pushing for the CLARITY Act to pass?

Industry figures like Coinbase legal chief Faryar Shirzad and US Senator Cynthia Lummis have called for the bill to move forward. This shows strong support from both industry and political stakeholders.

How might this affect crypto markets in the short term?

The lack of a passed law may not immediately impact markets if regulators continue providing guidance. However, uncertainty could still influence investor sentiment and volatility.

Perkins says crypto fine without Clarity Act

Written by Jon CuthbertPublished May. 4 2026

The US crypto industry will remain resilient even if the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act fails to pass, according to Chris Perkins.

Perkins said ongoing regulatory efforts by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission are already providing the clarity the market needs.

“These guys are creating policy and precedent every single day, and they are giving us the one thing we’ve needed for a very long time, that certainty, that stability, and ultimately, a taxonomy,”

Perkins said.

He noted that being classified as a security is no longer a “death sentence” for crypto projects, reflecting a shift from the stricter enforcement approach under former SEC chair Gary Gensler.

Perkins added that while the industry can function without the law, passing it would lock in regulatory clarity and make it harder for future administrations to reverse progress.

Momentum around the bill is building, with figures such as Faryar Shirzad and Cynthia Lummis calling for swift passage.

The debate underscores the evolving US regulatory landscape, as policymakers weigh long-term legal certainty against ongoing agency-led rulemaking.