US Congress Delays Crypto Market Structure Bill: Regulatory Gridlock Hits Digital Assets

Washington hits the brakes on crypto clarity—again. The long-awaited framework that promised to define rules for digital assets stalls in legislative limbo, leaving traders and builders navigating the same regulatory fog.

The Hold-Up in the Halls of Power

Forget a 2025 rollout. The bill's delay isn't a technical tweak—it's a political stalemate. Committees are stuck, jurisdictions are contested, and the 'urgent' need for market structure gets buried under partisan point-scoring. The industry's plea for a rulebook gets a bureaucratic shrug.

Innovation Doesn't Wait for Permission

While D.C. debates, the crypto ecosystem builds. Decentralized exchanges operate 24/7, new asset classes emerge, and institutional capital finds backdoor entries. The market isn't pausing—it's evolving faster than the law can draft. Regulation is chasing a moving target, and it's losing ground.

The Real Cost of Uncertainty

This isn't just a delay; it's an active constraint. Startups face impossible compliance puzzles. Traditional finance hesitates at the threshold. The U.S. risks ceding ground to jurisdictions that move faster—all while pretending stability comes from inaction. It's the financial equivalent of hoping a storm will pass if you just ignore the radar.

What's Next? More of the Same.

Expect extended hearings, diluted drafts, and more 'next session' promises. The window for decisive action narrows as the 2026 election cycle looms. In the meantime, the market self-regulates, protocols upgrade, and traders adapt—because in crypto, the code doesn't care about congressional calendars.

The ultimate finance jab? Washington's delay is a gift to offshore exchanges and a masterclass in how traditional governance fails at internet speed. They're busy drawing maps while the explorers have already found new continents.

In brief

• The US Senate Banking Committee postpones hearings on crypto legislation to early 2026, despite hopes for immediate progress.
• Chairman Tim Scott favors a bipartisan approach to establish clear oversight rules between the SEC and the CFTC.
• The 2026 midterm elections are likely to further complicate the adoption of this long-awaited reform.

The American Crypto Reform Delayed Amid Political Stalemates

The Senate Banking Committee officially announced on Monday the postponement of legislative hearings on the crypto market structure. Initially expected this week, these crucial discussions are now scheduled for early 2026. The committee chairman, Tim Scott, confirmed this decision through his spokesperson.

This legislation represents a major issue for the American crypto industry. It must precisely define how the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and the CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) will share market oversight. 

The bill designates the CFTC as the primary regulator of spot markets, a clarification awaited for years by sector stakeholders.

Chairman Scott justifies this delay by his desire to obtain a strong bipartisan consensus. “He has engaged with consistency and patience in good faith discussions,” his spokesperson indicates. 

The declared goal remains ambitious: to make the United States “the global capital of cryptocurrencies.” However, this political caution has a cost. Paul Barron, a recognized crypto investor and analyst, has been critical: 

The Market Structure Bill has fallen apart on the markup phase in the Senate.

According to him, even adoption in early 2026 remains uncertain. This frustration reflects that of many actors who hoped to turn the page on regulatory uncertainty by 2025.

Political and Economic Obstacles Are Piling Up

The political schedule seriously complicates the situation. In 2026, the United States will hold midterm elections where all seats in the House of Representatives and 33 Senate seats will be renewed. 

Historically, these election periods often paralyze the adoption of bipartisan legislation. Lawmakers prefer to avoid controversial subjects that could cost them votes.

Moreover, there is a problem of priorities. From January, Congress will need to urgently focus on funding the federal government. The budget law expires on January 30, automatically pushing “non-essential” files to the back burner. Crypto risks paying the price.

The market immediately punished this announcement. On Monday evening, the sector’s total capitalization plunged by 150 billion dollars in a few hours. Bitcoin dropped from nearly $90,000 to about $85,000, losing $5,000 in the process. This 3.6% drop reflects investors’ nervousness in face of a legal framework that is slow to materialize.

This postponement could ultimately prove counterproductive. While the administration seeks to position the United States as a global leader in crypto, persistent regulatory uncertainty risks pushing players towards clearer jurisdictions. Time now works against Washington.

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