WASHINGTON, D. C. - Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) is again increasing pressure on Capitol Hill so that Congress can pass a complete legislation on crypto market structure which is expected to determine the regulation of digital assets within the nation for many years.
During a
bipartisan policy forum on Tuesday, Lummis noted that the absence of regulatory
clarity spurs development in other countries at the expense of American
innovation and makes investors from the U. S. an easy prey for swindlers.
“We’ve talked about crypto regulation for years,” she said. “Now, it’s time for
Congress to step up and deliver real rules of the road for digital assets.”
A Push to
Modernize America’s Financial Laws
Lummis,
known across Washington as the “Crypto Senator,” has been one of the leading
advocates for digital asset policy reform. Her push for legislation centers
around defining what constitutes a security versus a commodity, a long-debated
issue that has pitted the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for jurisdictional control.
The bill
under consideration seeks to provide clear guidelines under which federal law
will control operations of crypto exchanges, stablecoin issuers, and digital
asset custodians. It would also include consumer protections and make it
mandatory for stablecoins to have a backing of high-quality liquid assets at
all times so as to prevent similar collapses witnessed in past crypto market
downturns.
“Americans
deserve financial innovation that’s both accessible and safe,” Lummis said.
“Without clear laws, we’re ceding leadership to Europe, Singapore, and the
Middle East all of which already have robust crypto frameworks in place.”
Bipartisan
Support Grows Amid Market Momentum
There has
been increasing support for cryptocurrency legislation with Bitcoin exceeding
$90,000 and institutional investments hitting records. Lummis’s bill
co-authored with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has gained rare bipartisan
traction, with lawmakers on both sides acknowledging that digital assets are
too big to ignore.
The White
House has also hinted at openness to a “balanced regulatory approach,” though
disagreements remain over consumer safeguards and environmental disclosures.
Still, analysts say 2026 could finally be the year Congress breaks its deadlock
and gives the crypto industry a definitive legal foundation.
Why It
Matters for the U. S. Economy
Enactment
of the proposed cryptocurrency market structure bill may position the United
States as a world leader in blockchain regulation, offering a secure investment
environment for both innovators and investors in the long run. This would serve
to legitimize cryptocurrency as an important financial asset, enhance
employment opportunities in fintech sector while lowering risks linked with
unregulated offshore markets.