Senate Blocks Crypto Regulation Bill Amid Ethics Concerns

The U.S. Senate blocked the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act from advancing in a 49-50 vote on September 15, effectively stalling legislation that would establish a federal framework for digital-asset market regulation.

The bill's passage was met with opposition due to concerns over ethics, consumer protection, illicit finance, and market-integrity provisions. President Donald Trump's 2025 financial disclosure listed more than $1.4 billion in cryptocurrency-related income, including $636 million from CIC Digital, $526 million from World Liberty Financial token sales, $65 million from equity sales, and $196.875 million from Stablecoin Holdco.

Senators Susan Collins, Josh Hawley, Jerry Moran, and Thom Tillis voted against advancing the bill, while Sen. Chris Coons did not vote. Democratic objections were raised over issues such as state and Tribal gaming rights and prediction-market contracts resembling sports betting or casino games.