Senate Delays Crypto Bill Again as Housing Takes Priority

The U.S. Senate Banking Committee has pushed back cryptocurrency regulation hearings once more, prioritizing housing affordability legislation. The delay extends uncertainty for digital asset companies operating without clear federal oversight.

According to Bloomberg, the U.S. crypto market structure bill is expected to be delayed by several weeks as the Senate Banking Committee shifts its focus to housing policy backed by Donald Trump, potentially pushing consideration to late February or March. The Senate Agriculture…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) January 21, 2026

Committee members now expect to revisit crypto legislation in late February or early March 2025. Staff workload concerns and competing housing proposals have forced the schedule change. This marks the second postponement in recent weeks.

The delay comes just days after a major regulatory bill collapsed following Coinbase‘s withdrawal of support. CEO Brian Armstrong publicly criticized the draft legislation, calling it worse than no regulation at all.

Digital asset companies must continue navigating an ambiguous regulatory landscape. The postponement leaves market structure legislation in limbo while lawmakers address cost-of-living concerns.

Crypto Bill Stalls as Housing Takes Priority

The Senate Banking Committee holds jurisdiction over both financial markets and housing policy. This dual mandate forces members to divide attention between cryptocurrency oversight and residential development.

Recent weeks saw committee staff shift focus toward consumer cost-of-living proposals. Housing affordability hearings have taken precedence as lawmakers respond to constituent concerns about everyday expenses.

Sources close to the committee confirmed the calendar shift. The rescheduling aligns digital asset hearings with broader housing-related sessions already planned.

Upcoming sessions will feature expert testimony on housing strategy designs. Committee preparation remains ongoing for in-depth discussions on residential development schemes.

The delay does not affect all cryptocurrency legislation before the Senate. Other committees and roles continue their scheduled work independent of Banking Committee timelines.

Coinbase Opposition Triggered Earlier Collapse

The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act faced significant opposition before its scheduled markup. Banking Chair Tim Scott formally canceled the hearing hours after Armstrong voiced public criticism.

Armstrong raised multiple concerns about the draft legislation. He described restrictions on tokenized equities as a “defacto ban” that would stifle industry innovation.

⚡ JUST IN: COINBASE CEO BRIAN ARMSTRONG SAYS "CRYPTO COMPANIES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO COMPETE AND OFFER LOANS JUST LIKE BANKS". pic.twitter.com/v3mDQUVM33

— Coinwaft (@coinwaft) January 16, 2026

The bill’s treatment of decentralized finance drew particular scrutiny. Armstrong warned the draft grants government “unlimited access” to financial records, raising privacy alarms across the sector.

Power distribution between regulators emerged as another contentious issue. The proposal shifts authority away from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission toward the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Senator Cynthia Lummis, a longtime crypto legislation champion, expressed frustration with the collapse. “I feel like I got run over by a Mack truck,” she told CNBC.

Lummis suggested February or March as possible timelines for revisiting the legislation. Her prediction now aligns with the Banking Committee’s revised schedule.

Armstrong argued crypto companies should compete and offer loans like traditional banks. He positioned industry concerns as matters of fair market competition rather than regulatory avoidance.

Meanwhile, stablecoin rewards and expanded SEC authority remain unresolved sticking points. These provisions troubled multiple industry participants during initial discussions.

The regulatory uncertainty affects companies across the digital asset ecosystem. Market participants await clarity on compliance requirements and jurisdictional boundaries.

Industry lobbyists continue engaging with committee staff despite the postponement. Negotiations may resume before formal hearings reconvene in late winter.

The Banking Committee must balance competing priorities in the coming months. Housing legislation momentum could further delay cryptocurrency regulatory progress.

Crypto market participants face extended uncertainty as Washington shifts focus. The industry continues operating under existing frameworks while awaiting congressional action.