Crypto Industry Spent $8 Million Lobbying for the Clarity Act, but the Bill Stalled

Crypto firms spent more than $13 million on federal lobbying in the first half of 2026, according to an analysis of lobbyist disclosures. About $8 million was linked to the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which failed to advance in the U.S. Senate. The money is separate from the $100 million plus in campaign funds and the yearly spending on advocacy groups. About half of the registered lobbyists are direct company employees.

Clarity Act Lobbying: Who Paid the Most

Coinbase, Kraken and Top Spenders

Outside lobbying firms received about $2.4 million for the bill, and trade association staff received $2.1 million. Coinbase spent about $2.2 million and Kraken nearly $1 million. Digital Currency Group, Jump Crypto and Paradigm also spent heavily. A Coinbase spokesperson, Julia Krieger, said the effort brought the bill to the brink of passage. Outside crypto topics, a16z spent $1.5 million, Binance $1.4 million and Crypto.com $1.2 million.

Lobbying Firms and Trade Groups

At least 42 lobbying shops took crypto money. Checkmate Government Relations earned about $1.8 million, mostly from Binance, and Sternhell Group took $660,000. The Crypto Council for Innovation spent $610,000, and the Blockchain Association held over 380 meetings with officials.

Why the Crypto Lobbying Push Fell Short

Some negotiators worried the industry was not pulling in one direction. Corey Frayer of the Consumer Federation of America pointed to infighting and a lack of unity over key policy choices in the bill.