Washington, D.C. — Tensions are mounting in Washington as discussions between American lawmakers and crypto industry leaders over a proposed digital asset framework reach a critical stage. The debate comes amid a partial government shutdown that has slowed progress on key legislative initiatives, including the highly anticipated crypto market structure bill.
According to reports, the recent closed-door meeting between senators and industry executives grew heated after a Democratic draft proposal was leaked. The draft suggested stricter oversight of decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, including Know-Your-Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance for permissionless systems — a move that sparked significant backlash across the crypto community.
Democratic lawmakers reportedly criticized industry participants for fueling public opposition, accusing some executives of aligning with partisan narratives. Meanwhile, sources indicated that lawmakers cautioned that continued online outrage could slow the bill’s path to formal approval.
Bo Hines, former head of the Trump administration’s Working Group on Digital Assets, condemned the Democrats’ response, calling it ironic that policymakers were upset over public scrutiny of legislation that could reshape an open financial ecosystem. “It’s absurd to be angry that people are reviewing a proposal that affects their industry,” Hines said.
Despite the government shutdown now stretching into its fourth week, optimism remains among some policymakers. Wisconsin Representative Bryan Steil reaffirmed that the CLARITY Act, which aims to establish a regulatory foundation for digital assets, remains on schedule. “Once the government reopens, we expect the Senate to move quickly,” Steil told CNBC.
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett also expressed cautious optimism, suggesting that bipartisan cooperation could end the shutdown soon. “If moderate Democrats step forward, we can reopen the government and resume normal negotiations,” he said.
The outcome of these deliberations could shape how decentralized technologies operate within the U.S. financial landscape. While the political standoff continues, both industry advocates and regulators agree that clearer rules are essential to unlock innovation while safeguarding investors.
