Senate Banking to Mark Up Crypto Bill in December

Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott announced on November 18 that the committee plans to mark up a cryptocurrency market structure bill in December, paving the way for a full Senate vote in early 2026. The legislation, if enacted, would establish clear regulatory frameworks for digital assets in the United States, potentially positioning the country as a global leader in the sector.

Scott made the comments during an interview on Fox Business, outlining a coordinated effort between the Senate Banking and Agriculture committees. The Banking Committee, which oversees securities-related matters under the Securities and Exchange Commission, has been refining its draft to address investor protections and market rules. Meanwhile, the Agriculture Committee, responsible for commodities regulation through the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, released a discussion draft on November 10 that defines digital commodities and expands the agency's authority over them. Lawmakers intend to reconcile the two versions during the markup process, which involves reviewing, amending, and voting on the text before advancing it to the Senate floor.

The push for the bill follows months of...