7 Regulatory Facts: US Senate Delays Crypto Market Structure Bill, Global Industry Watches

Jakarta, Pintu News – The United States Senate has officially postponed the discussion of the crypto market structure bill until early 2026, a move that has been discussed by the global cryptocurrency community as one of the significant obstacles towards the clarity of digital asset regulation in the US.

According to international media reports, this decision was made by the Senate Banking Committee after bipartisan negotiations could not be completed before the end of this year’s legislative period. This delay is considered to extend the period of uncertainty for exchanges, brokers, and token issuers operating in the US jurisdiction.

1. Crypto Market Structure Bill Postponed to 2026

The US Senate stated that a formal hearing on the crypto market structure bill will not be scheduled before the end of 2025, automatically delaying the legislative process until next year. This postponement was announced by the Senate Banking Committee in an official update to the public that the digital assets industry continues to monitor. The main reason is the limited legislative work time ahead of the year-end holidays as well as other priorities on the Senate agenda.

According to reports, talks between Committee Chairman Tim Scott and Democratic members are progressing behind the scenes, but not enough to complete a comprehensive legislative draft this year. Both sides emphasized that the effort is not stopping, with a possible renewal as early as 2026 after the legislative break ends.

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2. Crypto Oversight Regulation Still Unclear

The crypto market structure bill is designed to define the role of federal agencies in overseeing digital asset activity, including the relationship between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This is an important point because it has the potential to determine which agency will regulate spot trading and cryptocurrency-based securities in the US. Included in this is a definition of how market rules apply to spot markets and general audience derivatives.

Legislative drafts were circulating in various committees, but the lack of coordination between the Banking Committee and the Senate Agriculture Committee made the process of harmonizing the drafts more complex. The lack of a scheduled markup date means that many market participants are still waiting for official direction on how the regulatory framework will be shaped.

3. Monitored Causes of Delay

One of the main reasons for the delay was the limited legislative time at the end of the year, when senators were preparing to leave Washington and enter the vacation period, so major agenda items such as the crypto market bill had to wait for the next session. In addition, the legislative focus is also on avoiding a US government shutdown, which takes priority in budget discussions.

Previous government shutdowns have been cited as disrupting legislative progress, including efforts to secure a majority vote to finalize legislation covering the structure of crypto markets. This adds to the need for legislators to make strategic decisions regarding legislative priorities.

4. Implications of the Delay for the Crypto Market

This delay extends the period of regulatory uncertainty for companies engaged in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, including digital exchanges, brokers, and token issuers. This uncertainty is often monitored by investors and startups as a factor that can affect their strategic decisions, especially regarding compliance and product development.

Current regulators, such as the SEC, have published guidelines and held public discussions on applicable laws, but there is no comprehensive federal legislative framework that explicitly regulates digital assets as a whole. Ideally, this bill will help resolve the authority debate between different government agencies.

5. Industry Reaction to Delay

The cryptocurrency community is monitoring this development intensely due to its potential in providing legal certainty and jurisdictional boundaries over the crypto market in the US, an important metric often referred to in regulatory analysis. Many industry participants hope that this bill will clarify how market rules apply to spot crypto trading and token listing.

Analysts also note that the ongoing uncertainty could slow institutional investment and service expansion in the digital asset ecosystem, as many entities are still waiting for greater regulatory clarity. This uncertainty is believed to be part of the long dynamic of how digital asset regulations are shaped in a large market like the US.

6. Bipartisan Policy Still Emphasized

The Senate emphasized that although the rescheduling has occurred, the effort to reach a bipartisan agreement is not dead. The Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee has emphasized that the goal of this legislation is to produce a strong and comprehensive legal product that provides clarity for the digital asset industry.

Internal discussions between Republican and Democratic senators continue outside of the official schedule, to prepare a legislative version that can pass through a vote in the next session. This is an indicator that the opportunity remains, but requires additional time.

7. Time to Wait for Legislation 2026

With the decision delayed until early 2026, the legislative focus will likely begin with a new agenda when the Senate resumes work after the holidays. The Banks Committee and the Agriculture Committee are expected to coordinate more closely to resolve differences in draft structure and determine mutually agreeable regulatory limits.

The delay gives industry, academia, and legal observers additional time to assess the impact of the bill and submit input towards the final form of the legislation. Although delayed, this process is an important part of shaping the future legal framework for the cryptocurrency market in the US.

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FAQ

What is the postponed crypto market structure bill?

The crypto market structure bill is a legislative proposal in the US Senate that aims to define the role of federal regulators such as the SEC and CFTC in overseeing digital asset markets, including assets such as Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH).

Why has this bill been postponed to 2026?

The delay was due to legislative time constraints at the end of the year, other priority agendas such as the government budget, as well as a lack of time to complete markups in relevant committees.

What does this delay mean for crypto companies?

The delay extends the regulatory uncertainty for exchanges and digital asset service providers in the US as no comprehensive legal framework has been passed.

Who is involved in the discussion of the bill?

The discussion involved both the Senate Banking Committee and the Agriculture Committee, with Chairman Tim Scott and Democratic members engaging in bipartisan discussions.

When is the discussion of the bill likely to resume?

The discussion is likely to resume at the beginning of the 2026 legislative year after the Senate returns from vacation.

Does postponement mean permanent suspension of the bill?

No; the senator emphasized that despite the delay, bipartisan efforts are still active and renewal is expected in 2026.

Reference

• Michael Adeleke/CoinGape. U.S. Senate Hits the Pause Button on Crypto Market Structure Bill, Why the Delay Again? Accessed December 23, 2025