Work on a major US crypto market structure bill has been delayed after a severe winter storm forced closures across Washington, D.C., and other regions. The disruption affected the Senate Agriculture Committee, as well as federal financial regulators involved in digital asset oversight.
The committee postponed its scheduled markup of the Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act, moving it from Tuesday to Thursday. The legislation is designed to clarify the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s authority over digital assets, a long-standing issue in US crypto regulation. The delay comes as lawmakers seek to balance innovation with stronger oversight of crypto markets.
Regulatory Coordination Between CFTC and SEC Also Delayed
In parallel, the CFTC and the Securities and Exchange Commission pushed back a joint public discussion on crypto oversight harmonization by two days. The session is expected to focus on how the two agencies can align their regulatory approaches to reduce gaps and overlaps in supervising digital assets.
Although officials did not formally cite weather as the cause, the storm led to power outages, hazardous travel conditions, and widespread office closures, making legislative and regulatory activity difficult.
Political Challenges Add Further Uncertainty
The delayed markup marks the Senate’s second attempt to advance crypto market structure legislation, following the cancellation of a similar effort in the Senate Banking Committee. Lawmakers are also expected to debate amendments addressing ethics rules, conflicts of interest, and foreign influence in the crypto sector.
With funding deadlines approaching and the risk of a government shutdown later this month, progress on comprehensive crypto regulation in the Senate remains uncertain, even as pressure builds for clearer rules in the US digital asset market.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.