2026 in the USA cryptocurrency This will be a critical turning point in terms of regulations. Industry representatives evaluate the probability of a law that will comprehensively regulate digital assets being adopted before the midterm elections at 50-60 percent. Although the ongoing negotiations between Republicans and Democrats are promising, there are important problems that need to be resolved due to the complex structure covering banking, securities and commodity laws. Combining the bills prepared by two different committees in the Senate and passing the House of Representatives Clarity It needs to be harmonized with the draft law.
Critical Points of Disagreement in the Bill
There are several fundamental issues that need to be resolved in the cryptocurrency market structure draft. There are serious disagreements between banks and cryptocurrency companies on how to regulate yield-generating stablecoins. Banking organizations legalized in the summer GENIUS He argues that stablecoin legislation is not comprehensive enough and cannot prevent issuers from offering interest on stablecoins. Cryptocurrency advocates, on the other hand, state that the ability of stablecoins to offer returns represents fair competition.
Controversial issues include how decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols will be regulated to combat money laundering and whether some coins should be under the jurisdiction of the SEC or the CFTC. CEO of Digital Chamber Cody Carbonestates that the fact that the SEC is in a decision-making position creates concern in the sector, and that this may mean a return to the critical approach of former SEC Chairman Gary Gensler. Additionally, President Donald Trump’s conflicts of interest in the cryptocurrency industry also complicate the legislative process. The Trump family earned approximately $620 million through the World Liberty Financial project, a 20 percent stake in the American Bitcoin mining company, and the meme coins TRUMP and MELANIA.
The lack of commissioners at the CFTC has also become an issue that strengthens the Democrats’ hand in negotiations. When four commissioners resigned last year, only one Republican member remained at the agency, which was slated to gain broader authority over cryptocurrency. Carbone emphasizes that no senator would want to give such broad authority to a small agency that is supposed to be a five-member commission.
Time Pressure and Election Period Concerns
Senate Banking Committee He announced that he would put the bill in the marking process at the beginning of the year and that progress was being made with Democrats. A committee spokesperson noted that Chairman Scott has made strong progress with his Democratic colleagues on cross-party digital asset market structure legislation. For the bill to become law, the Senate Banking and Agriculture committees’ versions must be combined, approved by the full Senate, and then reconciled with the Clarity bill, which has passed the House of Representatives. head of policy at Anchorage Digital Kevin Wysockisays MPs must take action in the first two quarters of next year, otherwise they will focus on election issues.
Stating that it would be worrying if there is no marking in the committees in January, Carbone stated that he would be optimistic if he sees the marking in both committees, a compromise bill in the Senate and a possible full Senate vote in the next six weeks. Trump’s crypto conflicts of interest may become more prominent as the midterm elections approach. Saga CEO Rebecca Liaosays Democratic messaging revolves around affordability and that the privileged earnings of the president or those in his administration will be constantly criticized. Congress temporarily funded the government after a 43-day shutdown that ended in November, and that funding extends through Jan. 30, 2026 — if a new deal is not reached, the government could shut down again.
Liao emphasizes that even if a comprehensive cryptocurrency law cannot be passed in 2026, something needs to be done. He notes that as financial institutions enter cryptocurrencies, regulatory clarity is essential for crypto to achieve true adoption and widespread use.
