Ripple CEO Warns: Crypto Bill Dead in the Water-Midterms Could Seal Its Fate!

<a href="https://jpyeur.com/xrp-usd/">Ripple</a> CEO Flags Imminent Deadline as Senate Crypto Bill Faces Collapse Risk

As an analyst, I’m watching closely as potential crypto legislation faces roadblocks in the Senate. The upcoming elections are adding further pressure, and this combination is creating a lot of uncertainty about the future of digital asset regulation in the U.S. It looks like we may not get clear rules anytime soon.

Progress on U.S. crypto legislation is at a crucial stage. Lawmakers have a limited time to pass a bill that would set the rules for digital assets. Recent delays in the Senate could stop the bill from moving forward completely. Industry experts are concerned that the opportunity for significant action is quickly disappearing.

Garlinghouse Signals Declining Odds for Crypto Bill if Senate Delays Continue

According to Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, the coming weeks will be critical for the progress of cryptocurrency laws. He highlighted an upcoming Senate Banking Committee hearing at the Consensus Miami event (hosted by CoinDesk) as a key moment that could determine what happens next.

Garlinghouse cautioned that if lawmakers didn’t hold a session to debate and amend the bill soon, it was unlikely to pass. He explained that as the midterm elections approached, politicians would become more focused on winning their own campaigns than on tackling complicated issues like this one.

He explained that if they don’t make progress quickly, their chances will decrease considerably. Once midterm elections become the main focus, it will be much harder to move forward with crypto-related initiatives.

As a researcher following the crypto space, I’ve observed a significant push for federal legislation these past few months. Lawmakers are working to create a clear set of rules for the industry, and a key part of that is deciding how to split regulatory responsibility between the SEC and the CFTC. If successful, this would be the first time the US has had a complete and comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets.

Midterm Pressure Puts U.S. Digital Asset Legislation at Risk of Collapse

Last year, the House of Representatives approved a bill called the Clarity Act. However, the Senate has been stalled by disagreements and delays. For the bill to move forward, both the Senate Agriculture and Banking Committees need to sign off on their own versions.

The agriculture committee has already approved its part of the legislation. Now, all eyes are on the banking committee, which has been delayed by disagreements about how to handle rewards for stablecoins. A recent agreement between Angela Alsobrooks and Thom Tillis might resolve these disagreements and allow the committee to move forward with a review session in the next few weeks.

Even with the recent advancements, some issues still need addressing. Several politicians have expressed concerns about possible conflicts of interest involving Donald Trump and companies involved with cryptocurrency. Others are still worried about the potential for illegal activities and whether the industry is following all the necessary rules.

With the November elections getting closer, time is running out to pass legislation. Campaigns usually take over lawmakers’ schedules, meaning there’s less focus on crafting new policies. According to Garlinghouse, if this bill isn’t addressed now, it will be much harder to pass after the election.

Since Congress hasn’t acted, financial regulators are now stepping in to provide more clarity. Agencies like the SEC and CFTC are releasing guidance and developing systems to categorize different cryptocurrencies. This suggests they’re increasingly acknowledging that many cryptocurrencies may not be considered securities under existing laws.

Crypto Rules in Flux as Garlinghouse Calls for Lasting Legal Framework

The way the government regulates cryptocurrencies has changed depending on who’s in charge. When Gary Gensler led the SEC, the agency considered most cryptocurrencies to be securities and took legal action against several large companies. Now, under Paul Atkins’ leadership, the SEC is taking a more relaxed approach.

Garlinghouse explained that laws offer more reliable rules than regulatory guidance. While agency positions can shift depending on who’s in office, laws provide long-term stability.

The legal issues Ripple has faced highlight how important clear regulations are. Back in 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) claimed Ripple raised $1.3 billion by selling XRP without properly registering it. This case began under Jay Clayton’s leadership and went on for several years.

As a crypto investor, I was really relieved when the judge ruled that XRP isn’t automatically considered a security. That’s a big win for the project. However, it wasn’t a complete victory – the judge said *some* of the ways it was sold to institutions *did* follow security laws. So, while it’s good news, a lot of the bigger questions about XRP’s legal status are still up in the air.

According to Garlinghouse, Ripple now has more legal clarity, but the broader cryptocurrency industry still needs clear regulations. He believes laws like the Clarity Act are essential for establishing consistent definitions for digital assets.

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2026-05-06 06:58