CLARITY Act May Slip Beyond April as Senate Debates Stablecoin Rules and Other Legislative Priorities

• Senate Majority Leader John Thune says the CLARITY Act may not pass the Senate Banking Committee before April 2026.

• Disputes over stablecoin yield rules are slowing progress on the CLARITY Act crypto market structure bill.

• Delay in the CLARITY Act is keeping crypto firms waiting for clear US market rules and regulatory oversight.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that the CLARITY Act may not advance before April 2026. The update signals another delay for the long-awaited crypto market structure bill. Journalist Eleanor Terrett shared the development in a recent report. Lawmakers are debating several unresolved policy issues tied to the legislation. As a result, the Senate Banking Committee has not finalized a timeline for the bill.

NEW : John Thune said he doesn’t expect the Clarity Act to pass the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs before April. pic.twitter.com/0bziFAnhGo

— Vince News (@VinceDesk) March 13, 2026

The CLARITY Act aims to establish a clear regulatory structure for digital assets in the United States. Lawmakers designed the proposal to define oversight across the crypto industry. However, the Senate Banking Committee continues reviewing key provisions. These ongoing discussions have slowed the legislative process. Consequently, crypto companies and investors still lack clear market structure rules.

Stablecoin Debate Slows Market Structure Bill

Debate around stablecoin regulation remains one of the main reasons for the delay. Banking groups and crypto firms continue arguing over proposals tied to stablecoin yield. These disagreements have complicated negotiations inside the Senate. As a result, lawmakers continue working through the disputed sections of the bill. The conflict has slowed progress on the broader market structure framework.

Several industry figures have criticized the prolonged legislative process. Among them are Paul Grewal and Patrick Witt. Both have pointed to pressure from banking groups during policy discussions. Their comments highlight growing frustration across the digital asset industry. Meanwhile, lawmakers continue searching for a compromise that satisfies multiple stakeholders.

The Senate has also shifted attention toward other legislative priorities. Lawmakers are currently focusing on the SAVE America Act. The bill has strong support from Donald Trump. Senate leaders expect to vote on the proposal next week. Consequently, crypto legislation has temporarily moved lower on the legislative agenda.

Delay Adds Uncertainty to US Crypto Regulation

The delay surrounding the CLARITY Act could slow efforts to define oversight across the digital asset market. The bill seeks to clarify responsibilities between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Recently, both regulators increased cooperation to reduce jurisdiction disputes. However, legislation remains necessary to finalize regulatory authority.

Without clear rules, crypto firms continue operating within overlapping regulatory frameworks. This uncertainty affects investment planning and product development across the industry. Policymakers also remain concerned about global competition in digital assets. Other economies continue building regulatory frameworks that attract crypto businesses.

Despite the delay, some policymakers remain optimistic about eventual approval. Bernie Moreno previously suggested the legislation could pass by April. Meanwhile, Kristin Smith believes lawmakers may approve the bill by July 2026. Analysts at JPMorgan also expect the market structure bill to advance around mid-year if negotiations progress.