Senator Cynthia Lummis Demands Immediate U.S. Crypto Regulation—Before the Next Bull Run Eclipses Washington
Crypto's Wild West era may finally be ending—or at least, that's what Senator Lummis is betting on.
With Bitcoin flirting with new highs and DeFi protocols eating traditional finance's lunch, Washington's regulatory inertia looks increasingly like negligence. Lummis isn't having it.
The Regulatory Ticking Clock
No more 'wait-and-see.' The Senator's push comes as institutional investors pour billions into crypto ETFs—while retail traders still navigate a regulatory minefield. The SEC's enforcement-by-lawsuit approach? About as effective as a screen door on a submarine.
Wall Street's Worst Nightmare
Decentralized finance doesn't need permission to disrupt. Automated market makers now handle more volume than some national stock exchanges—all while traditional finance still charges 2% for the privilege of moving money at dial-up speeds.
One thing's clear: whether through legislation or obsolescence, the rules are coming. The only question is whether D.C. will write them—or just read them on GitHub after the fact.
TLDR
- Senator Cynthia Lummis has called on Congress to urgently pass the crypto market structure bill before the end of the year.
- The GENIUS Act, focused on stablecoin regulation, passed the Senate with bipartisan support, increasing momentum for crypto legislation.
- Cynthia Lummis and Senator Tim Scott introduced a new bill to clarify the classification of digital assets as securities or commodities.
- The proposed legislation assigns oversight roles to both the CFTC and SEC to eliminate regulatory confusion in the crypto sector.
- Lummis warned that the United States is falling behind global leaders like Singapore and the EU in regulating digital assets.
The call for a clear crypto regulatory framework gained new urgency as Senator Cynthia Lummis pressed Congress for immediate action. The senator emphasized the need to finalize the crypto market structure bill before the year ends. Her push follows rising momentum for bipartisan digital asset legislation in both the Senate and the House.
GENIUS Act Passes Senate, Boosting Crypto Legislation Momentum
The Senate recently passed the GENIUS Act with a 68-30 vote, gaining strong bipartisan support and advancing stablecoin regulation. This development marked a significant step toward regulating digital assets, increasing pressure on lawmakers to continue legislative progress. Cynthia Lummis pointed to this moment as the right time to accelerate crypto oversight efforts.
While the GENIUS Act focuses on stablecoins, Cynthia Lummis introduced a broader bill targeting overall crypto market structure. She partnered with Senator Tim Scott, with additional backing from Senators Thom Tillis and Bill Hagerty. Their legislation intends to clarify whether digital assets are securities or commodities, improving regulatory efficiency.
Cynthia Lummis explained that the Commodities Futures Trading Commission WOULD oversee most digital assets labeled as commodities. However, since many crypto offerings are bundled and sold like securities, the Securities and Exchange Commission would also be involved. Her bill creates defined responsibilities for both agencies, aiming to end overlapping jurisdiction and confusion.
@SenLummis discusses new crypto regulations she introduced alongside @SenatorTimScott and what it means for digital assets in the U.S.:https://t.co/nYMweN7l1O
— Squawk Box (@SquawkCNBC) June 25, 2025
Cynthia Lummis Highlights Urgency Amid Global Crypto Advancements
Cynthia Lummis warned that the United States risks falling behind global counterparts like Singapore and the European Union. These regions already have comprehensive digital asset regulations, allowing their markets to grow with legal clarity. Lummis stressed that the U.S. must act quickly to remain competitive.
The senator criticized the previous “regulation by enforcement” approach adopted by the SEC under past leadership. According to Cynthia Lummis, that method forced companies into legal battles, costing millions and slowing innovation. Her proposed bill shifts the approach to proactive regulation through clear legal definitions and agency roles.
As chair of the Senate subcommittee on digital assets, Cynthia Lummis will guide the bill’s SEC-related sections. Meanwhile, the Senate Agriculture Committee will focus on commodity-related provisions to ensure full coverage. These efforts will converge to produce a balanced and enforceable regulatory framework.
CLARITY Act Advances, Increasing Pressure on the Senate
The House has already advanced the CLARITY Act, securing bipartisan approval from two major committees. With momentum growing, Cynthia Lummis sees an opportunity to align Senate and House efforts for unified legislation. This alignment could speed up the passage of both the CLARITY and GENIUS Acts.
President TRUMP has also voiced support, urging swift approval of the stablecoin bill to solidify U.S. crypto leadership. Cynthia Lummis believes bipartisan energy and executive backing increase the chances of comprehensive crypto laws by year-end. She continues to push for urgency in Congress.