The United States is nearing a potential turning point in cryptocurrency regulation as Senator Cynthia Lummis’s bipartisan market structure bill advances towards a January 2026 markup.
The proposed legislation seeks to resolve more than a decade of regulatory ambiguity that has slowed digital asset innovation and driven some firms overseas.
Lawmakers backing the bill say it aims to provide clear, consistent rules for crypto markets while reinforcing consumer protection standards.
Supporters believe regulatory certainty could help retain digital asset development and investment within the United States.
Senator Lummis, a long-standing advocate for crypto policy reform, announced on December 19 that she will not seek re-election.
Despite this, she reaffirmed her commitment to pushing the bipartisan bill through Congress.
Our digital asset market structure bill provides the clarity innovators in the industry need while protecting consumers.
Cynthia Lummis said.
She argued that transparent regulation is essential for keeping innovation competitive and compliant.
Lummis also pointed to Governor Waller’s skinny master account framework as a complementary regulatory breakthrough.
According to the senator, the framework effectively ends Operation Chokepoint 2.0 and enables payments innovation.
Regulatory momentum has been reinforced by coordinated signals from the SEC, Federal Reserve and FDIC.
SEC Chair Paul Atkins has endorsed clearer regulatory boundaries for compliant crypto firms.
In November 2025, Atkins introduced Project Crypto, which outlined a four-part token classification system.
The framework limits SEC oversight for most tokens not tied to active investment contracts.
Industry figures say the combined efforts could reshape US crypto markets and position America as a global hub for compliant innovation.