U.S. Senate Delays Cryptocurrency Regulation Hearing to 2025

The U.S. Senate Banking Committee will postpone a hearing to amend cryptocurrency market structure legislation until next year, delaying pivotal discussions, reported CoinDesk on December 16.

This delay impacts regulatory clarity for digital assets, affecting market stability, as lawmakers prioritize government funding amid upcoming midterm elections, leaving crypto industry concerns unaddressed.

U.S. Senate Postpones Crypto Regulation to 2025

The U.S. Senate Banking Committee announced that it would not hold a hearing on cryptocurrency regulatory amendments until 2025. Economic Times and fellow committee members have been in bipartisan negotiations, aiming for a comprehensive approach to the market’s structure.

“Chairman Tim Scott and the Senate Banking Committee have made significant progress with their Democratic counterparts on this bill,” while noting ongoing negotiations. This delay impacts the cryptocurrency industry, as stakeholders anticipated movement this year on defining regulatory roles for the CFTC and SEC. It underscores the complexity of aligning on new market structures.

Industry reactions have been mixed, with a spokesperson for the committee emphasizing ongoing “good-faith discussions” meant to benefit the digital asset sector. The postponement affects expectations around liquidity and market stability.

Market Decline Amid Senate’s Prolonged Uncertainty

Did you know? Similar delays occurred with the FIT21 Act, which passed the House but also faced Senate hurdles, causing prolonged uncertainty for digital assets like BTC and ETH.

Bitcoin (BTC) recently traded at $86,381.48, with a market cap of approximately $1.72 trillion. As of December 16, 2025, BTC’s trading volume has decreased by 10.26% in 24 hours, with notable price drops in 60 and 90 days, according to CoinMarketCap.

Coincu research suggests continued delays might dampen investment in nascent digital asset projects. However, progress in bipartisan talks could eventually lead to more applicable frameworks, enhancing stability across digital financial services.