U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis recently stated that the Digital Asset Market Structure Bill, which she has been actively promoting, is approaching congressional passage at an unprecedented pace. Despite encountering some unexpected challenges in 2025, the bill's momentum remains strong.
Lummis revealed at a summit event, "We are really, really close this time." She noted that some individuals who have historically been firm on issues of yield and returns have begun working closely with the White House and lawmakers to find solutions. "We think we've found a path forward."
The senator from Wyoming mentioned that Congress plans to schedule deliberations and amendments (markup) for the bill in April, after the Easter recess. As of Wednesday, the Senate Banking Committee had not yet rescheduled its consideration of the bill.
Currently, issues sparking heated debate among lawmakers include tokenized stocks, ethical concerns regarding elected officials investing in the crypto industry, stablecoin yields, and decentralized finance (DeFi News). To advance this legislation, the White House has held three meetings with cryptocurrency and banking industry representatives in 2026.
Lummis stated, "We think the DeFi News issues have been resolved." However, she admitted that some unresolved disputes remain regarding the definition of money transmitters and how to clearly delineate crypto assets as securities or commodities.
Can Congress Pass the Market Structure Bill Before 2027?
Supporters of the market structure bill have been concerned about the potential impact of the 2026 midterm elections. These elections, scheduled for November, will result in a new congressional composition the following January. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 33 Senate seats will be up for election, presenting an opportunity for Democrats to regain control of both chambers.