‘It’s disappointing’: U.S Treasury Secretary slams Democrats’ CLARITY Act holdout

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently criticized Senate Democrats for stalling the CLARITY Act, a significant piece of legislation aimed at establishing a comprehensive crypto market structure in the United States. Despite ongoing negotiations, including a potential ethics deal involving Senator Thom Tillis and Senator Ruben Gallego, the bill faces substantial hurdles before the upcoming August recess. Key Democratic concerns regarding the bill include developer protections under the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, illicit finance provisions, and the oversight role of state attorneys general. Bessent argued that the BRCA simply codifies existing Treasury policy regarding non-custodial developers, yet political resistance remains high. Internal Republican support is also not unanimous, with Senator Josh Hawley identified as a notable holdout, necessitating at least 11 Democratic votes for passage. Market sentiment has soured significantly, with prediction markets lowering the probability of the bill's passage this year to a yearly low of 27%. The outcome of this legislation is critical for the RWA market, as it seeks to provide the regulatory clarity necessary for institutional adoption and the legal framework for tokenized assets. Failure to pass the act could delay the integration of traditional financial instruments onto blockchain infrastructure.