Read this article on bsc.news House Democrats are discussing a broader crypto market structure bill for the next Congress, according to reporting by Eleanor Terrett. The plan could revive pro
House Democrats are discussing a broader crypto market structure bill for the next Congress, according to reporting by Eleanor Terrett. The plan could revive provisions Rep. Maxine Waters previously proposed, expand the role of the SEC and narrow the role of the CFTC. It may also add ethics rules aimed at crypto activities by President Donald Trump and other federal officials.
The proposal builds on Waters' Crypto Investor and Consumer Bill of Rights, a 2025 CLARITY Act amendment. It would fold in the Democratic Clarity Act provisions Waters offered in the House, which were not adopted, plus the provisions Senate Democrats were able to agree on with Republicans before September's failed cloture vote.
The agency split is where the plan would diverge most from the Republican approach. Democrats are considering a larger SEC supervisory role and a narrower CFTC remit, but the reported talks leave jurisdictional details unresolved.
On ethics, Democrats are also expected to consider additional ethics provisions that would restrict crypto-related activities by President Donald Trump and other federal officials, according to Terrett.Terrett reported that further restrictions on federal officials were likely, without specifying their scope. Waters has previously pursued this area: she introduced the Stop TRUMP in Crypto Act in May 2025 alongside committee Democrats.
The talks come after the midterm elections. Democrats will take control when the new Congress convenes in January 2027, according to FXStreet, which points to a different political environment for crypto regulation. FXStreet also noted that Democrats argued the CLARITY Act did not sufficiently address conflicts of interest involving Trump and other senior officials.
Details remain limited. No text for the crypto market structure bill has been released, and the details so far come from industry sources rather than from lawmakers.A Democratic crypto market structure bill would still need Trump's signature to become law. Republicans have reportedly pushed back, with some calling it a messaging bill and arguing it targets Trump's crypto businesses rather than creating rules both parties can support.
Any shift in the balance between the SEC and CFTC, or new ethics limits, could face resistance from Republicans and industry groups. For now, the proposal is at the discussion stage, and its final shape will depend on the legislative language that emerges.
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