Despite some progress in discussions regarding conflict-of-interest provisions, the White House indicates that talks are ongoing.
By Jesse Hamilton|Edited by Nikhilesh De Jul 21, 2026, 9:14 p.m. 3 min readMake preferred on ShareShare this articleCopy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmailMake preferred on Despite President Donald Trump's apparent concessions, the U.S. Senate has more work to do regarding the crypto Clarity Act. (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)SummaryShow- The primary issue in the crypto Clarity Act—regarding restrictions on U.S. government officials' crypto ties—appears to be narrowing, but Democrats remain dissatisfied with enforcement methods.
- Sources indicate President Donald Trump has consented to extensive restrictions for government officials, and his administration is positioning itself to deflect blame if the legislation stalls.
Senate Democrats are reportedly dissatisfied with aspects of the proposed crypto market structure bill, particularly concerning the stipulation that would prohibit government officials from having significant connections to the cryptocurrency sector.
The main contention lies in the enforcement of this ban. According to insiders who attended a crypto industry briefing from a White House official, Democrats prefer that state attorneys general oversee the enforcement of these ethical guidelines, whereas the White House and Republican supporters of the bill advocate for the U.S. attorney general to assume this role.
The progression of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act hinges on reaching a consensus regarding these ethics restrictions affecting government officials, which would encompass the president, vice president, and all congressional members. A compromise on this matter is anticipated to allow the remainder of the bill to advance, despite some unresolved issues, such as how developers are treated under the bill's anti-money laundering provisions.
August 7—the imminent deadline before the Senate's summer break—is viewed as critical for finalizing the Clarity Act this year. Industry insiders expect the bill to be presented on the Senate floor early next week, aligning with prior indications from Senate Majority Leader John Thune. The process may take several days before reaching a final vote.
Earlier reports indicated that a White House representative stated Trump agreed to "the most comprehensive and wide-ranging ethics provision in history," although the specific wording of this agreement has not yet been disclosed to Democrats. It remains uncertain whether Democrats have reviewed the exact language, but the administration asserts it has made significant concessions to accommodate Democrats, implying that any stagnation in the bill's progress may fall on them.
Trump's commitment to limiting his own business connections raises important questions regarding how to ensure compliance with these restrictions. The president and his family maintain various ties to cryptocurrency ventures, notably their stake in World Liberty Financial. While Trump claims no conflict of interest exists as his administration implements crypto regulations impacting his own businesses, Democratic lawmakers have accused him of corruption.
The core disagreement over the ethics enforcement of the Clarity Act centers on the perceived competence of the legal authorities involved. State attorneys general are accountable to their local constituents and have previously engaged in legal disputes with Trump's administration. In contrast, federal enforcement typically falls under the Department of Justice, which Senate Democrats argue is too susceptible to presidential influence, especially given that Trump's former personal attorney, Todd Blanche, is his nominee for attorney general.
Even if Senate negotiators from both parties reach an agreement in the coming days, passing the bill in the Senate is only part of the process. Following that, it would require approval from the U.S. House of Representatives, likely when they reconvene in September. However, the House has faced internal conflicts within the Republican majority that have hindered progress on various issues.
Moreover, discussions among Democrats have suggested the possibility of integrating prediction-market regulations into the Clarity Act—a contentious topic that could derail the entire initiative.
Nikhilesh De contributed reporting.
Read More: White House pushes Senate Democrats to take 'historic' crypto Clarity Act ethics deal
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TRON Network - Q2 2026
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By CoinDesk Research8 hours agoCommissioned byTronIn Q2; TRON's stablecoin dominance rose to 28.7%, USDT supply on TRON hit $89B ATH, $89M in protocol fees (2nd to Hyperliquid), TRX +3%, and deepening institutional & agentic reach.
Why it matters:
In Q2; TRON's stablecoin dominance rose to 28.7%, USDT supply on TRON hit $89B ATH, $89M in protocol fees (2nd to Hyperliquid), TRX +3%, and deepening institutional & agentic reach.
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