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U.S. Crypto Market Structure Bill Shows Progress Amid Historic Government Shutdown – President Donald Trump’s crypto and AI adviser, David Sacks, announced on Thursday that talks regarding the U.S. crypto market structure bill are showing “great progress.” In a post on X, Sacks expressed confidence that a bipartisan draft of the legislation could be finalized soon, signaling renewed momentum for digital asset regulation despite ongoing political challenges.
Government Shutdown Both Hinders and Helps
The bill’s progress comes during the longest U.S. government shutdown in history, now in its 37th day. While the shutdown has disrupted committee schedules and slowed coordination with agencies like the SEC and CFTC, some lawmakers see the pause as an opportunity. Patrick Witt, director of Trump’s Digital Assets Council, noted at Ripple’s Swell conference that the downtime has allowed for focused discussions on refining definitions and enforcement language in the legislation.
Behind-the-Scenes Negotiations Continue
Bipartisan talks remain active, with Senator Cynthia Lummis, a lead sponsor, confirming daily discussions focused on technical revisions to secure broader Senate support. While Lummis acknowledges that passing the bill before year-end is unlikely, she emphasized that staff-level coordination ensures steady progress.
Timing Pressures Ahead of Elections
Senator Thom Tillis cautioned that lawmakers have until January or February to advance the bill before election politics dominate the agenda. Meanwhile, Senator Chris Murphy highlighted that Democrats’ focus on healthcare subsidies and budget negotiations could slow legislative momentum for other measures, including the crypto market structure bill.
Momentum Returns
Despite these hurdles, optimism remains. Additional meetings with the White House are expected to finalize the bill’s regulatory framework and trading definitions. Sacks’s update has reenergized the process, suggesting that a new bipartisan draft may be on the horizon. The latest activity underscores that digital asset regulation remains a shared priority across party lines—even amid historic government shutdowns.
