U.S. regulators move to set crypto rules after Clarity Act stalls
State and federal agencies are moving to shape U.S. digital-asset oversight after the Clarity Act fails to advance in the Senate. The regulatory push is emerging as crypto companies press for clearer standards to support investment and broader links with traditional finance.
Highlights
- SEC and CFTC accelerate crypto rulemaking under existing authority after the Clarity Act stalls in the Senate due to state opposition.
- SEC issues an order enabling trading in certain tokenized stocks and CFTC submits a crypto rulemaking proposal to the White House within two days of the legislative setback.
- Industry leaders like Coinbase and the Blockchain Association urge regulators for clear standards, warning that regulatory uncertainty risks slowing sector growth and investment.
Regulators step in after Senate setback
As reported by CNBC, the policy vacuum widens after bipartisan state attorneys general tell the Senate Banking Committee in a joint letter that the Clarity Act would weaken state authority over securities regulation.After the bill stalls, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission begin outlining new approaches for the crypto sector under existing authority. The shift marks a move away from waiting for a comprehensive congressional framework and toward agency-led rulemaking.
Two days after the legislation is halted, the SEC issues an order that facilitates trading in certain tokenized stocks, opening a path toward continuous trading in financial markets. At the same time, the CFTC sends a crypto rulemaking proposal to the White House, although the contents are not disclosed.
Industry seeks clarity as agencies act
The crypto industry, which supports the Clarity Act, is now urging regulators to provide workable standards that can support growth and capital formation. Summer Mersinger, chief executive of the Blockchain Association, says clearer rules are needed to unlock investment and deepen cryptocurrency's integration into mainstream finance.Coinbase Chief Executive Brian Armstrong says congressional delay risks slowing the sector's development, underscoring the industry's concern that uncertainty could restrain expansion. CFTC Chair Michael Selig says the administration remains committed to building a dependable framework for crypto assets within current jurisdictional limits.
Our earlier article covered CME Group’s plan to expand its regulated crypto derivatives suite with Bitcoin Cash and Uniswap futures, pending regulatory review. The piece highlighted rising institutional demand for compliant hedging tools and noted strong volumes and open interest across CME’s existing crypto futures and options lineup.