White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett has said the ongoing US government shutdown is “likely to end sometime this week,” signaling a potential revival of crypto regulatory progress that has been stalled for nearly three weeks.
A Path Toward Ending the Shutdown
Speaking to CNBC’s Squawk Box on Monday, Hassett said he expects moderate Democrats to join Republicans in reopening the government. “The Schumer shutdown is likely to end sometime this week. The moderate Democrats will move forward and get us an open government, at which point we can negotiate policies through regular order,” he stated.
Hassett added that if bipartisan cooperation fails, the Trump administration could adopt “stronger measures” to force progress. His comments come as pressure mounts from financial markets and federal workers for a swift resolution.
Hassett, known for his pro-crypto stance, disclosed earlier this year that he holds more than $1 million in Coinbase shares, underscoring his interest in digital assets. He is also reported to be among Donald Trump’s top candidates to succeed Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in 2026.
Crypto Regulation in Limbo
The government shutdown, now in its 20th day, has frozen several pending altcoin ETF applications, including those for Litecoin (LTC), XRP, and Solana (SOL), as the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) remains partly inactive due to the funding impasse.
Industry insiders say this delay has also slowed momentum on Congressional discussions around Trump’s proposed Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and the BITCOIN Act, a legislative effort aimed at integrating digital assets into federal financial policy.
Democrats Plan Crypto Talks Amid Uncertainty
Despite the partial shutdown, progress continues behind closed doors. Democratic senators are reportedly preparing a roundtable meeting with executives from Coinbase, Ripple, and Circle this Wednesday to discuss how to advance the US crypto market structure bill once operations resume.
Still, uncertainty remains. Polymarket odds show a 71% chance that the shutdown could extend beyond 30 days, potentially lasting until at least October 31.
If Hassett’s forecast proves accurate, an end to the stalemate could unlock delayed decisions — including key moves shaping the next phase of US crypto policy.
Disclaimer
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