The long-awaited crypto market structure bill — the bipartisan legislation expected to bring regulatory clarity to digital assets — has been pushed back to late February or March 2026. According to Bloomberg and confirmed by Cointelegraph on January 22, 2026, the Senate Banking Committee has shifted priority to President Trump’s housing affordability initiative, sidelining the crypto bill for now.
This redirection reflects the intense political and domestic priorities in Washington, where pressing economic issues frequently take precedence over emerging technology legislation.
The bill aims to resolve core uncertainties that have hampered U.S. crypto development for years:
Without this framework, U.S.-based crypto companies continue to face enforcement risk, compliance ambiguity, and competitive disadvantages compared to jurisdictions with clearer rules (e.g., EU under MiCA, Singapore, Hong Kong).
The delay also postpones potential institutional inflows and mainstream adoption that many believe depend on regulatory certainty.
Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), a leading crypto advocate, had previously aimed for passage before the end of 2025. That goal now appears out of reach due to the committee’s new focus.
The announcement triggered short-term caution across the sector. As of January 22, 2026:
Many analysts view the delay as procedural rather than fatal. However, prolonged uncertainty could slow U.S. institutional adoption and push more development offshore.
Investors should:
While disappointing, the delay is not unexpected in a politically charged environment where housing affordability is a top voter issue.
