CLARITY Act Receives White House Crypto Advisor Support, Passage Probability Rises to 70%

Recently, the CLARITY Act, currently being advanced in the U.S. Congress, has become a focal point for the crypto industry. The public statement by White House crypto affairs advisor Patrick Witt has further strengthened expectations for the bill's passage. Currently, market forecasts predict that the probability of the bill being enacted before 2026 has climbed to 70%, reflecting the industry's confidence in the legislative process despite disagreements. The core of the controversy revolves around the stablecoin reward mechanism. Traditional banking lobby groups are concerned that if users can obtain stablecoin yields through crypto platforms, it will lead to deposit outflows, weakening the banking system's ability to support local credit. They argue that such rewards should be classified as financial products similar to savings interest, thereby imposing stricter regulations.

In response, Witt explicitly opposed any form of compromise, arguing that restricting the reward mechanism would hinder the healthy development of the digital asset ecosystem. He emphasized that this is a critical period for building a federal-level crypto regulatory framework, and cutting off the incentive connection between platforms and users would not only violate the trend of technological innovation but also potentially weaken the United States' leading position in global crypto competition. His position represents the White House's inclination to support industry demands, injecting crucial momentum into legislative negotiations. It is worth noting that the reward model proposed by the industry is not simply holding income but is linked to actual activities such as user participation, payment behavior, and blockchain network maintenance. This "service-based incentive" is seen by some policymakers as an acceptable middle ground, but banks still insist on a complete ban.

In addition to the reward mechanism, the CLARITY Act also faces other obstacles: some Democratic senators are demanding stronger anti-money laundering measures, higher risk control standards for decentralized finance (DeFi News), and restrictions on senior government officials directly holding crypto assets. Although these issues are not central, they may slow down the legislative pace. As the 2026 congressional session approaches, the window of opportunity is rapidly narrowing. If the bill cannot be passed before the election season, the legislative process may be postponed to the next Congress. Despite the remaining resistance, the clear support from the White House, the stability of market confidence, and the industry's continued advocacy for a reasonable incentive mechanism together constitute an important force driving the bill forward.