Crypto / Digital Asset Policy

The setup

The US government is actively shaping the regulatory landscape for digital assets, with significant legislative efforts aimed at clarifying jurisdiction and increasing oversight. This push involves both establishing clear frameworks for digital commodities under the CFTC and expanding law enforcement's capabilities to combat cybercrime involving digital assets. The most recent executive action also signals a move towards integrating fintech innovation into existing regulatory structures.

How this developed

1. Apr 3, 2025The Combatting Money Laundering in Cyber Crime Act (S.1273) is introduced, expanding Secret Service and FinCEN authority over digital asset transactions.Bill
2. Feb 2, 2026The Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act (S.3755) advances to the Senate calendar, proposing a CFTC regulatory framework for digital asset intermediaries.Bill
3. Mar 12, 2026The Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act (S.4064) advances to the Senate calendar, establishing CFTC jurisdiction over digital commodity exchanges.Bill
4. Apr 15, 2026The House companion to the Combatting Money Laundering in Cyber Crime Act (HR5877) advances, increasing compliance burdens for digital asset firms.Bill
5. May 19, 2026An Executive Order directs federal financial regulators to streamline fintech regulations and requests the Federal Reserve to evaluate expanding access for non-bank and digital asset firms.Executive action
6. Jun 1, 2026The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (HR3633) is placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar, aiming to establish clear CFTC/SEC jurisdictional boundaries for digital assets.Bill
7. Aug 3, 2026HR10017 is introduced, seeking to permanently prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency.Bill

Why it matters

• Multiple bills (E4, E5, E8) advancing in Congress indicate a strong legislative push to establish clear federal regulatory frameworks for digital assets, primarily under the CFTC, which could reduce SEC enforcement risk for compliant firms.
• The Combatting Money Laundering in Cyber Crime Act (E1, E6) in both chambers signals increased regulatory costs and scrutiny for digital asset firms due to expanded Secret Service and FinCEN authority.
• The Executive Order (E7) directs federal regulators to actively review and streamline fintech regulations, potentially opening doors for digital asset firms to access Federal Reserve payment systems.
• The introduction of HR10017 (E13) highlights a growing legislative effort to prevent the creation of a US Central Bank Digital Currency, reflecting ongoing debate about the future of digital money.

The record · 7 items, oldest first

• Apr 3, 2025BillCombatting Money Laundering in Cyber Crime Act of 2025
• Feb 2, 2026BillDigital Commodity Intermediaries Act
• Mar 12, 2026BillDigital Commodity Intermediaries Act
• Apr 15, 2026BillCombatting Money Laundering in Cyber Crime Act of 2025
• May 19, 2026Executive actionExecutive Order: Integrating Financial Technology Innovation into Regulatory Frameworks
• Jun 1, 2026BillDigital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025
• Aug 3, 2026BillTo permanently prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or a Federal reserve bank from issuing or creating a central bank digital currency, and for other purposes.

Some keyword matches were judged unrelated to this theme and are excluded from the record above.

How this story evolved

Earlier versions of this narrative will appear here as the record is re-read.