US Crypto Bill Has Until February Before It’s “Dead,” Top Senator Warns

Key Points

  • Urgent Timeline: Senator Thom Tillis warns that Congress has a narrow window until early January or February to pass cryptocurrency legislation before election politics and gridlock stall progress.**
  • Legislative Stalls: The ongoing government shutdown since October 1 and disputes over funding have paralyzed Washington, delaying crypto bills like the CLARITY Act, which passed the House with strong bipartisan support.**
  • CLARITY Act Focus: The CLARITY Act aims to define regulatory jurisdiction over digital assets between the CFTC and SEC, distinguishing between decentralized digital commodities and centralized restricted digital assets.**
  • Senate Delays: Progress in the Senate has slowed due to a leaked Democratic proposal on DeFi rules and the ongoing shutdown, despite earlier optimism for bills like the Responsible Financial Innovation Act.**
  • Bipartisan Efforts: Recent closed-door meetings with industry leaders and bipartisan support suggest a push for a year-end deal, though skepticism remains with only a 20% chance of passage by 2025 per Polymarket data.**

Summary

North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis has issued a stark warning that Congress must act by early 2025 to pass critical cryptocurrency legislation, or risk it being derailed by political gridlock and the 2026 midterm elections. Speaking to Bloomberg, Tillis highlighted the urgency as the government shutdown, ongoing since October 1, and disputes over funding have stalled progress on key bills like the CLARITY Act, which seeks to clarify regulatory oversight of digital assets between the CFTC and SEC. Despite bipartisan support—evidenced by the House passing the CLARITY Act and the earlier GENIUS Act becoming law—Senate discussions have faltered due to a leaked DeFi proposal and the shutdown. Recent closed-door meetings with industry leaders show renewed bipartisan efforts, with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong noting 90% of issues resolved and a potential Thanksgiving deadline. However, skepticism persists, with Polymarket data indicating only a 20% chance of passage by 2025. As other nations advance their digital asset frameworks, the U.S. risks falling behind if it cannot overcome political paralysis. Tillis emphasized that failure to act by February could render the current push for crypto reform effectively “dead,” underscoring the fragile momentum in Washington.

yahoo
October 28, 2025
Crypto
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