# Key crypto bill faces delays amid Trump ethics controversy Chances of the CLARITY Act passing this year appear slim. - **Source:** [Fortune | FORTUNE](https://brifing.si/source/769282ef-327a-4454-909a-3c7936216004) - **Published:** 2026-07-24 - **Topic:** [Finance](https://brifing.si/c/finance) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/55b29f89-23bb-47bb-a53d-ea2dcbaa781f ## Crypto industry's legislative hopes The CLARITY Act aims to establish a predictable regulatory framework for digital assets. Industry leaders were optimistic about its passage after hard-won compromises with banking lobbyists and skeptics. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune's recent comments dashed these hopes, signaling further delays. ## Legislative hurdles The Senate is unlikely to pass the bill before its August recess. Midterm elections and political tensions are reducing its chances. Prediction markets now give the bill only a 37% chance of passing this year—a significant drop from earlier optimistic projections above 80% during spring. ## Trump's crypto connections Democrats view Trump family's $2 billion earnings from memecoin sales as an ethical conflict. Their push for ethics provisions initially faced Republican resistance, but recent drafts include watered-down restrictions. Critics argue these contain loopholes that wouldn't effectively prevent profiteering. ## Political maneuvers Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's directive to focus messaging on Trump and corruption allegations makes Democratic support for the crypto bill unlikely. Meanwhile, banking opponents successfully prolong debates. Wintermute's Ron Hammond sees a narrow post-election window as the only remaining opportunity. ## Competing priorities The lame-duck Congress must first address urgent government funding and defense bills, potentially sidelining crypto legislation. November elections could shift power dynamics, with Democrats possibly regaining the House—further complicating the bill's path forward in 2025. ## Industry's next steps The crypto sector continues grappling with regulatory uncertainty. If CLARITY fails, state-level regulations or new legislative attempts may emerge. Long-term solutions will require sustained dialogue between industry and policymakers to balance innovation with consumer protections. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/07/24/hopes-for-key-crypto-bill-fade-amid-delays-trump-ethics-controversy/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._