Senate punts crypto market structure bill to next year

The US Senate Banking Committee announced that hearings on a bill concerning the structure of the cryptocurrency market and federal regulatory oversight of the industry will not take place until next year. The expected hearing, scheduled for later this week, has been postponed, disappointing many in the crypto industry.

Progress in Negotiations

A committee spokesperson reported on Monday that "Chairman [Tim] Scott and the Senate Banking Committee have made significant progress in negotiations with their Democratic colleagues" on the bill. However, lawmakers are continuing discussions, and a final decision has not yet been made.

While the delay was predictable, it is still a blow to the crypto industry, which had hoped to at least see the beginning of hearings on the bill. In the absence of more significant progress toward the passage of new, sweeping legislation, which had been anticipated in 2025, this decision raises further concerns.

Impact on Future Actions

It's unclear how quickly lawmakers will be able to resume negotiations in the new year. Following the Christmas recess, Congress's primary focus will be funding the U.S. government, as the current funding bill expires on January 30. If the government doesn't shut down, lawmakers will have limited time to work on market structure before next year's midterm elections become their top priority.

"From the outset, Chairman Scott made clear that this work must be bipartisan," a committee spokesperson noted. "He consistently and patiently engaged in good-faith discussions to produce a strong bipartisan document that will provide clarity for the digital asset industry and make America the crypto capital of the world. The committee continues negotiations and looks forward to considering the bill in early 2026."

In Conclusion

The market structure bill aims to determine how the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will regulate the cryptocurrency market. The postponement of the hearings highlights the need for further discussion and agreement to ensure the stable and secure development of the crypto industry in the United States.