Crypto Advocates Flood Capitol Hill Ahead of Senate Vote — No Agreement in View

Lobbyists for cryptocurrency are converging on Capitol Hill this week as the U.S. Senate prepares to vote on long-anticipated market structure legislation, yet there is still no conclusive agreement on key political and policy matters.

On January 15, two Senate committees, Banking and Agriculture, will perform markups, marking a potentially pivotal moment for federal regulation of cryptocurrency.

This vote follows more than six months of stalemate and numerous missed deadlines.

Although Republicans have been fervently advocating for a vote, some Democrats and a handful of Republicans are concerned that the bill is being expedited without resolving essential differences.

Crypto Sector Urges Senate to Advance Market Structure Legislation

Ahead of the vote, the cryptocurrency sector has ramped up its lobbying efforts, with the Digital Chamber, a prominent blockchain trade organization, sending over 50 industry representatives to Washington to engage directly with senators.

Participants include exchanges such as Crypto.com and Binance.US, token issuers like Cardano, crypto ATM operators, and financial service providers including eToro.

The bill under discussion is the Senate’s version of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which was passed by the House in July 2025.

Three critical pieces of cryptocurrency legislation were approved by the House of Representatives in a significant vote on Thursday afternoon. #House #CryptoPolicy https://t.co/m9o0nj2yay

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) July 17, 2025

At its foundation, the bill seeks to clarify the regulatory framework for digital assets in the U.S. by delineating responsibilities between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

The Banking Committee addresses securities-related elements, while the Agriculture Committee focuses on commodities and spot markets, thus necessitating that both panels advance their versions before the bill can move forward.

The two-week deadline for passing the bill has been taken up by Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott, who mentioned that legislators have reviewed several drafts and it is now time to cast a vote.

The U.S. Senate is set to vote on the cryptocurrency market structure bill on January 15, despite significant divisions over critical issues. #CryptoRegulation #USSenate https://t.co/kUWyH1mRCl

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 7, 2026

He acknowledged that full agreement has not yet been reached but asserted that further delays could jeopardize the bill entirely.

Currently, Agriculture Chair John Boozman of the Senate has confirmed that his committee will also vote on the same day, adding pressure to an already strained process.

Despite the revival of momentum, substantial controversies continue to hinder the legislation concerning cryptocurrency market structure.

Discussions on Crypto Stalled by Ethical Issues, Control, and Party Conflicts

One of the most contentious issues involves ethics and conflict-of-interest regulations, fueled by concerns regarding President Donald Trump’s family ties to crypto ventures.

@RepRoKhanna plans to propose a bill prohibiting lawmakers from owning or creating cryptocurrencies, following @realDonaldTrump’s pardon of CZ. #Crypto #Binance https://t.co/r0eJThPuTF

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) October 28, 2025

Democrats advocate for stricter limitations on officials profiting from or promoting digital assets, while Republicans argue that existing ethics regulations are sufficient.

There is also a divide among lawmakers regarding governance at federal regulatory agencies. Following Trump’s dismissal of several Democratic officials, some Democrats are calling for statutory quorum requirements to ensure bipartisan representation at the SEC and CFTC. Republicans oppose this proposal, deeming it unnecessary.

Policy disagreements also arise over yield-bearing stablecoins, as banking groups urge Congress to close perceived loopholes allowing rewards through affiliates, while cryptocurrency firms contend that lawmakers intentionally preserved these structures in past legislation.

Decentralized finance remains a contentious topic, with industry organizations seeking safeguards for developers, while Democrats caution that broad exemptions could increase risks of money laundering and security threats.

Even if both committees advance their respective bills, they will still need to be reconciled, surpass a 60-vote threshold in the Senate, and be integrated with the House’s CLARITY Act before reaching the president.

With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, political considerations are significant. Analysts have indicated that lawmakers may be hesitant to take risks as campaigns commence, raising the likelihood that the final passage could be delayed until 2027.

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