The Senate Agriculture Committee has decided to push back the markup of the cryptocurrency market structure bill, originally scheduled for Thursday, to the final week of January. This extension aims to facilitate further deliberations and build a wider, bipartisan consensus on this crucial legislation, which seeks to establish a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for digital assets. The move highlights ongoing complexities in integrating digital currencies into traditional financial systems and the political maneuvering involved in achieving legislative milestones.
Senate Delays Crypto Bill Markup for Broader Bipartisan Support
On Monday, January 12, 2026, Senator John Boozman (R-AR), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, confirmed the delay of the cryptocurrency market structure bill's markup. This decision was made to allow for additional discussions and refinements, ensuring the bill garners substantial bipartisan support. Boozman indicated that encouraging progress had been made, with constructive dialogues occurring over the preceding weekend among members from both political parties. He reaffirmed his commitment to advancing this significant legislation.
The deferral of the bill's markup comes at a critical juncture, as the window for passing such legislation is rapidly closing. Industry analysts, including those from Bernstein, have emphasized the urgency of legislative action, warning that a failure to proceed by the second quarter could lead to its stagnation amid upcoming midterm election politics. A primary point of contention revolves around stablecoin rewards, which have emerged as a significant hurdle in the discussions.
Adding another layer of complexity, TD Cowen analysts have suggested that the bill might face delays extending until 2029, partly due to former President Donald Trump's involvement in cryptocurrency ventures. Democrats are advocating for provisions that would bar high-ranking government officials and their families, including Trump, from owning or managing cryptocurrency businesses. Trump has reportedly amassed approximately $620 million from various family-affiliated ventures, notably World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a DeFi and stablecoin project that lists him and his three sons as co-founders.
Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano (ADA), expressed skepticism regarding the bill's timely passage in the first quarter. He cautioned that Democrats might campaign on an anti-cryptocurrency platform in the midterm elections, fueled by controversies surrounding the "catastrophic" Official Trump (TRUMP) memecoin.