US Senator Cynthia Lummis has confirmed she will retire from the Senate in January 2027, ending a tenure that made her one of the most influential political supporters of Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) and digital assets in Washington.
The announcement comes well ahead of the 2026 election cycle and signals a major shift in the relationship between US lawmakers and the cryptocurrency industry at a critical moment for regulation.
Lummis, often referred to as the Senate’s “Bitcoin Senator”, said the physical and mental demands of the role had become unsustainable after years of lengthy legislative sessions.
I am a dedicated legislator, but I feel like a sprinter in a marathon, and the necessary energy no longer follows, Cynthia Lummis said.
At 71, she leaves behind a reputation as a rare bridge between blockchain advocates and traditional Republican lawmakers, with backing from figures such as former president Donald Trump.
Tributes quickly followed from the digital asset sector, highlighting her central role in pushing crypto-related legislation through a deeply divided Congress.
Senator Lummis has been a leading champion for digital assets in Washington, the ecosystem is stronger because of her commitment and leadership, Ji Kim said.
Her departure raises uncertainty over who, if anyone, will assume a comparable leadership role on crypto policy in the Senate, as no clear successor has publicly emerged.
Potential replacement Harriet Hageman has so far avoided taking firm positions on cryptocurrency, adding to concerns within the industry.
Lummis’s legislative legacy includes the passage of the GENIUS Act, the first federal law to establish a regulatory framework for stablecoins in the United States.
The law was widely viewed as a breakthrough, offering clarity for issuers while balancing consumer protection and innovation.
She also introduced the ambitious Bitcoin Act, proposing that the US government acquire up to $80 billion worth of Bitcoin over five years as a strategic reserve.
Since 2022, Lummis has co-sponsored bipartisan efforts to define crypto market structure, though internal industry disagreements delayed progress.
Thank you, Wyoming, serving our state has been the honour of my life, Cynthia Lummis said.
With her exit approaching, analysts warn the Senate could become less receptive to blockchain innovation at a time when global regulatory competition is intensifying.
At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $88,217.26.