US Crypto Market Structure Bill Faces Further Delays Amid Legislative Shifts

The US Senate Banking Committee has postponed its consideration of landmark cryptocurrency market structure legislation until late February or March, according to unnamed sources familiar with the matter. This marks the second delay for the bill, which seeks to establish a regulatory framework for digital assets.

The committee has shifted focus to housing affordability legislation following a directive from President Trump, who called it a priority for the 'American Dream.' This pivot comes as the crypto industry faces growing pressure for regulatory clarity, with over $2 trillion in market capitalization currently operating without comprehensive federal oversight.

Industry leaders expressed frustration with the delay. Patrick Witt of the WHITE House Crypto Council emphasized the urgency: 'We cannot expect this multi-trillion-dollar industry to thrive under regulatory ambiguity.' The setback follows Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong's withdrawal of support for the current draft, citing concerns about potential restrictions on tokenized securities.

Market observers note the delay creates uncertainty for major cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, and SOL, as well as emerging assets like SAGA and ENA. The legislation's progress is being closely watched by exchanges including Coinbase, Binance, and Bybit, which operate in the US market.