US Prosecutors Push for Changes in CLARITY Act Amid Ethics Concerns

US prosecutors have proposed changes to the CLARITY Act, a comprehensive cryptocurrency market structure bill under consideration in the Senate. The National Association of Assistant US Attorneys and the National District Attorneys Association sent a letter to the White House requesting modifications to provisions regarding developers. Specifically, they want guidelines that don't 'create, expand, or modify criminal liability under Federal law.'

The proposed changes come as the CLARITY Act faces pushback from many Democrats over ethics rules in the bill. These rules concern US President Donald Trump's crypto investments, which netted him $1.4 billion in 2025.

As a result of these concerns, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has been pushing the White House to address the BRCA before any potential vote. The Senate is currently scheduled to start state work periods from Aug. 7 to Sept. 14, giving lawmakers a limited window to pass crypto market structure before the recess.

The CLARITY Act would shift regulatory purview over digital assets from the SEC to the CFTC, which has fewer tools and resources to address enforcement and oversight issues. Both agencies are currently understaffed at the leadership level, with only one CFTC chair and three SEC commissioners.