French Hill Pushes for Crypto Law as Regulatory Clock Ticks Down

The Arkansas Republican stated that while the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have made progress on digital assets, their actions fall short of the statutory certainty required for the industry. Hill’s push centers on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which remains stalled after a failed procedural vote in September. Supporters fell 11 votes short of the 60 required to break the stalemate, though a path for reconsideration remains open.

Negotiations have been hampered by disputes over ethics safeguards and Treasury authority, despite Republican sponsors claiming they integrated over 120 substantive changes requested by Democrats. Hill maintains that a breakthrough is possible during the post-election lame duck session, emphasizing that long-term investment in blockchain requires a framework that survives beyond shifts in executive administration. The urgency is underscored by staffing shortages, with seven commissioner vacancies currently across the two primary financial regulators, leaving agencies operating with thin leadership as they attempt to manage the sector through existing, limited powers.