Momentum to modernize digital asset laws in the United States slowed once again this week, as lawmakers quietly postponed a long-awaited committee vote. As a result, the process of regulating digital assets in the US appears to be taking longer than many policymakers in Washington had initially anticipated.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman confirmed that his committee would delay discussion of the Digital Asset Market Transparency Act until the last week of January, citing the need to preserve bipartisan support. The committee had originally planned to take up the bill this week, alongside a parallel session in the Senate Banking Committee. However, that plan was ultimately abandoned, with Boozman emphasizing that additional time was required to ensure sufficient cross-party consensus before moving forward.
This committee discussion represents a critical step in the legislative process. During these sessions, lawmakers review the bill provision by provision, propose amendments, and ultimately vote on whether to advance the legislation to the full Senate. If either committee fails to approve the measure, the bill effectively stalls.
The delay underscores persistent disagreements over several unresolved issues. Lawmakers remain divided on how to regulate stablecoin rewards, the appropriate treatment of decentralized finance (DeFi), and how regulatory authority should be divided between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Against this backdrop, Senate leadership appears reluctant to force a vote without a clear path to consensus, as a failed vote or a highly polarized debate could significantly undermine the bill’s prospects later this year—particularly as the legislative calendar grows increasingly constrained.
The legislation, now referred to as the “Clarity Act” and formerly known as the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025, seeks to establish a comprehensive framework for digital asset regulation in the United States. Among its key provisions, the bill would clarify which digital assets fall under securities law and which are classified as commodities, while granting the CFTC expanded oversight authority.
In addition, the proposal introduces federal market oversight standards and asset segregation requirements for digital asset exchanges, brokers, and custodians. Supporters argue that clearer statutory rules would replace the current reliance on enforcement-led regulation. While the House of Representatives passed its version of the bill in mid-2025 with broad bipartisan support, the Senate has struggled to produce language that satisfies lawmakers, regulators, banks, and digital asset companies alike. Complicating matters further, industry groups have warned that last-minute amendments could erode support, even as some senators push for tighter restrictions on how elected officials may hold or transact in digital assets.
By postponing committee consideration until late January, Senate leaders are aiming to refine the legislation and rebuild consensus among the various stakeholders. Ultimately, the fate of digital asset market reform in the United States in 2026 will depend on whether these efforts succeed—or whether the bill remains trapped in legislative gridlock.
