With Congress in recess until the end of the year, US lawmakers are expected to return to discussions on digital asset market structure legislation in early 2026.
Members of the US Senate Banking Committee are likely to take up a long-delayed crypto market structure bill in the second week of January, according to reports and people familiar with the matter. The committee is expected to hold a markup on the Responsible Financial Innovation Act, a key step toward advancing the legislation.
Progress on the bill has been slowed for months by concerns from Democratic lawmakers over decentralized finance, as well as disruptions caused by the longest government shutdown in US history.
Cody Carbone, CEO of crypto advocacy group The Digital Chamber, said at least one Senate committee is expected to move forward with a markup on pending market structure legislation in mid-January. The Senate Agriculture Committee is also reviewing its own version of the bill ahead of any potential vote by the full Senate.
The legislation is designed to clarify how digital assets are regulated in the US and would grant the Commodity Futures Trading Commission greater authority over crypto markets. Earlier Senate drafts suggest closer coordination between the CFTC and the Securities and Exchange Commission on oversight of cryptocurrencies.
It remains unclear whether the bill has enough support to pass the Senate. Senator Thom Tillis previously warned that the start of campaigning for the 2026 midterm elections could slow momentum on crypto-related legislation.
Adding to the uncertainty, Senator Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming — one of the bill’s strongest supporters — announced in December that she will not seek reelection in 2026. Despite the decision, Lummis has continued to advocate for passage of the market structure bill during her remaining time in office.
Featured image from: cointelegraph.com