Crypto Lobby Fails to Secure Crucial Bill Despite Record Spending
The US Senate's vote against advancing a major crypto bill, known as the Clarity Act, has dealt a significant setback to the industry. The bill aimed to establish a regulatory framework for the $2 trillion cryptocurrency market and provide clarity on which cryptocurrencies fall under securities or commodities laws.
Crypto companies had spent over $300 million combined on the 2024 and 2026 elections to push crypto policy into the political mainstream. However, the industry's muscle in Washington proved limited when faced with enough political challenges.
The defeat of the Clarity Act came after President Donald Trump's personal crypto dealings became a flashpoint for Democrats. The White House ultimately agreed to several restrictions on officeholder profiting off digital assets, but Democrats said they didn't go far enough.