The CLARITY Act, a bill aimed at providing regulatory clarity for digital assets in the U.S., has hit another roadblock. Senate Majority Leader John Thune recently stated that the bill has no chance of passing before the August recess. This has shifted expectations to a possible vote after the November mid-term elections, when some of the current political tensions might ease.
Bipartisan Support Still There, But Timing Is Off
Ron Hammond, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Wintermute, noted that the bill still enjoys enough bipartisan support. But he added that election-year politics are now the main force delaying progress. “The votes are there, but the calendar is not,” Hammond said in a recent briefing. “Everyone is focused on the campaigns, and that leaves little room for complex financial legislation.”
This isn’t the first time the CLARITY Act has been postponed. Earlier this year, it was expected to move through committee quickly. Now, it seems lawmakers are wary of taking any stance that could be used against them in ads or debates. The bill would define which digital assets are commodities versus securities — a key question that has stalled U.S. crypto policy for years.
What November Might Bring
If the bill reaches the floor in November, it would face a lame-duck session — that period between the election and the new Congress being sworn in. Some analysts are optimistic that this window could offer a more bipartisan environment. But there’s also a risk that if the election results shift power dynamics, the bill could be shelved entirely.
Hammond pointed out that similar legislation has been introduced in past sessions without crossing the finish line. “We have seen this pattern before. The question is whether this time is different. I think it might be, but it’s a close call,” he said.
Industry Watches Closely
Crypto firms and advocacy groups have been lobbying hard for the CLARITY Act. They argue that without clear rules, businesses are moving offshore or operating in legal gray areas. The delay is frustrating for many, but some see it as a realistic outcome given the current political climate.
For now, the bill sits waiting. The next few months will determine whether it becomes law or joins the list of crypto-related proposals that never made it. Either way, the election will play a deciding role.
