
Senate pushes July vote on crypto bill
- US senators are working toward a July vote on the Clarity Act, although competing legislative priorities could delay the timetable.
- Lawmakers are still negotiating ethics, illicit finance and non-custodial developer provisions before the bill reaches the Senate floor.
- The legislation would establish a federal regulatory framework for digital assets by dividing oversight between the SEC and CFTC.
The United States Senate is aiming to vote on the Clarity Act in July, although a crowded legislative agenda and unresolved negotiations are narrowing the window before the August recess.
The bill would establish a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for digital assets by dividing oversight between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, with the latter overseeing most cryptocurrencies.
“We're finally to the point where we're going to put out text over July 4 and give people one last really good look through the bill, and then we're moving in July,” said Senator Cynthia Lummis.
Negotiators are continuing discussions on ethics requirements, illicit finance provisions and protections for non-custodial software developers, while lawmakers have already reached a compromise on stablecoin rewards.
Senate leaders said there is still a path to passing the legislation, but warned that the defence bill, farm bill and renewed debate over a housing package could reduce available floor time before lawmakers leave for the August recess.
If the Senate does not pass the legislation this year, lawmakers would need to restart the process in the next Congress, adding further uncertainty to the industry's long-awaited regulatory framework.
Industry groups continue supporting a July vote, arguing the legislation would provide regulatory clarity for digital assets, while critics say Congress should prioritise other legislation and strengthen safeguards covering ethics, decentralised finance and financial crime.