7:05 p.m. ▪
4
min read ▪ by
Despite the federal government shutdown, Republican lawmakers are staying the course on their ambitious crypto agenda. Several key senators say they want to pass landmark digital assets legislation before the end of the year. But will this promise keep in the face of the budget impasse that is blocking Washington?
Brief
- Republican senators plan to pass legislation on crypto market structure by the end of 2025, despite the shutdown.
- John Boozman negotiates bipartisan bill with Democrats; an agreement could be announced in a few weeks.
- The CLARITY Act passed in the House in July serves as the basis for the Senate’s Responsible Financial Innovation Act.
- Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong confirmed that the Senate has agreed on 90% of crypto-related items.
US Senate accelerates on cryptos despite budget chaos
Several Republican senators refuse to let the budget impasse slow their regulatory ambitions.
John Boozman, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, is intensifying negotiations with his Democratic counterparts to present a bipartisan bill “very soon”. Its objective remains unchanged: to have this legislation adopted before 2026.
This determination can be explained by an implacable political reality. As Senator Thom Tillis points out, the window of opportunity will only remain open until February 2026 at the latest.
After this deadline, the midterm elections will transform Congress into an electoral arena where consensus will become almost impossible. Legislators know it: it’s now or never.
The Senate Banking Committee has also begun promising bipartisan discussions. Sources close to the matter speak of a possible announcement of an agreement within a few weeks.
This momentum contrasts sharply with the administrative paralysis affecting other sectors, where thousands of federal employees have been on forced leave since the beginning of October.
The original schedule called for a review by the Agriculture Committee at the end of September and by the Banking Committee at the end of October. Even if the first deadline was not met, the Republicans are staying the course.
Cynthia Lummis, senator from Wyoming and a leading figure in the crypto file, remains convinced that President Trump will be able to sign the bill before 2026.
Brian Armstrong restarts the legislative machine
The Coinbase CEO’s visit to Washington last week marked a turning point. Brian Armstrong met with several legislators and provided an encouraging assessment: the Senate found common ground on approximately 90% of crypto-related issues. This unexpected convergence gives new impetus to the legislative process.
The Responsible Financial Innovation Act, sponsored by Republicans in the Senate, builds directly on the CLARITY Act passed by the House in July. This legislative strategy aims to create a coherent framework for the structure of the digital asset market. Party leaders promised to build on the foundations laid by their colleagues in the House, a promise they appear determined to keep.
The dynamic remains fragile. The shutdown complicates everything, including SEC decisions on crypto ETFs. The agency is still operating with reduced staff and has had to delay the review of several files, even though the Litecoin (LTC) and Hedera (HBAR) ETFs have since launched on the NYSE. As for Michael Selig, appointed by Donald Trump to head the CFTC, he has not yet been confirmed by the Senate, his hearing is still in progress.
Despite these obstacles, the crypto industry remains hopeful. The roundtable announced on October 22 took place, bringing together the leaders of Kraken, Coinbase, Ripple and Circle to maintain dialogue between legislators and industry players. This mobilization illustrates the strategic importance of these bills for an ecosystem that has been calling for a clear regulatory framework for years.
The American Congress is playing its credibility in the field of crypto regulation. If the Republicans manage to keep their commitments despite the surrounding chaos, the United States could finally provide its digital assets industry with long-awaited legal clarity. Otherwise, we will have to wait until 2027, at the risk of other countries taking a decisive lead.
Maximize your Cointribune experience with our “Read to Earn” program! For every article you read, earn points and access exclusive rewards. Sign up now and start enjoying benefits.
Passionate about Bitcoin, I like to explore the intricacies of blockchain and cryptos and I share my discoveries with the community. My dream is to live in a world where privacy and financial freedom are guaranteed for everyone, and I firmly believe that Bitcoin is the tool that can make this possible.
DISCLAIMER
The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author and should not be considered investment advice. Do your own research before making any investment decisions.
