U.S. Senate Cryptocurrency Bill Hearing Delayed, Stablecoin and DeFi Provisions Become Political Focal Points

GasWrangler · 2026-01-17T11:30:19+00:00

The U.S. Senate Banking Committee's consideration of the Crypto Market Structure Act has been postponed, reflecting deep disagreements between Congress and the industry on stablecoin and DeFi provisions. After the CEO of a leading exchange withdrew support, the Senate Chair announced the delay, putting pressure on the market. Analysts believe that although there is a consensus framework, disagreements over details have made it difficult to bridge the political divide.

GasWrangler

2026-01-17 11:30:19

Abstract generation in progress

【Blockchain Rhythm】The US Senate Banking Committee’s scheduled review of the crypto market structure bill has been postponed. Galaxy Digital Research Director Alex Thorn pointed out that this delay reflects deep disagreements between Congress and the industry on key issues—especially fierce debates over stablecoin yield mechanisms and DeFi-related provisions.

The controversy began with a sudden shift by the CEO of a major exchange. The CEO publicly withdrew support for the bill, specifically opposing certain language related to tokenized securities, DeFi restrictions, and stablecoin yields. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott immediately announced the postponement but did not specify a new hearing date. Considering that the Senate will go into recess next week, the earliest resumption is expected between January 26 and 30.

The turn of events regarding the bill is quite dramatic. Thorn revealed the extent of the chaos: within just 48 hours, the revised draft was publicly released late at night and was immediately subjected to over 100 amendments. Stakeholders continued to discover new points of contention as the deadline approached, sharply increasing the difficulty of political coordination.

The market responded directly to the news. Once the postponement was announced, crypto assets came under pressure—Bitcoin and Ethereum both fell about 2% that day. Related US stocks also declined, with a major exchange dropping 6.5%, another platform falling 7.8%, and stablecoin issuer Circle dropping 9.7%.

Thorn’s analysis touched on the core issue: “Market structure” as a broad framework actually has a considerable level of consensus. The real problem lies in those seemingly marginal but actually sensitive details—the handling of stablecoin yields, the compliance boundaries of DeFi activities, and the SEC’s regulatory authority over tokenized securities. “The disagreements may seem like small differences, but in reality, they are difficult political divides to reconcile.”

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BearMarketSurvivor

· 6h ago

Hearing postponed? This is a classic supply line break. A single CEO's shift can shake up the entire battlefield layout, indicating that this bill was never stable to begin with. Stablecoins and DeFi provisions are the real minefields; anyone who dares to touch them will bleed. The lawmakers are probably calculating now—touching even a single hair could cost votes. It's just like a bear market; the worst part isn't the decline, but the uncertainty of direction. Restart at the end of January? I bet five bucks it will be delayed again; Congress folks have always been like this.

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WhaleShadow

· 6h ago

Haha, here we go again. The political game played by the big shots is truly impressive. Can one CEO's statement change the entire legislative process? The crypto world is so fragile. Wait, DeFi restrictions really can't be touched. If this continues, will our liquidity mining still have a way out? A reversal within 48 hours—this script is brilliantly written. Who's pulling the strings behind the scenes? Congress has always wanted to clamp down on stablecoins. We also need to think of a way out. Large holders say that policy risk is really a trap. We still need to stay vigilant.

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LayerZeroEnjoyer

· 6h ago

Ha, it's the same old story. When the big shots suddenly change their stance, the industry has to follow suit. Laughing to death. --- There are indeed issues with stablecoins. Being targeted by DeFi is only a matter of time. --- Really? A reversal in 48 hours? That’s so ridiculous. --- Wait, why do exchanges always wait until the last minute to flip? So unreliable. --- Mainly because the terms on stablecoins are too harsh. No wonder some are withdrawing support. --- Reboot from the 26th to the 30th? Then we still have to wait. What will the market look like at the beginning of the year? --- Restrictions on DeFi are inherently unreasonable. Industry backlash is normal. --- Delays and no schedule again. That’s just the daily routine of the parliament. Get used to it. --- It's ridiculous. Supporting something two days ago and opposing it now. Who’s really in control? --- See through it now. These CEOs’ words don’t count. It’s just political games.

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OldLeekConfession

· 6h ago

Haha, it's the same old trick again. As soon as the CEO's stance changes, the bill gets postponed. It's really hilarious. This time it will probably be dragged out until the end of January, and there will likely be repeated delays. The stablecoin sector is indeed a trap; everyone wants to profit from the chives, but no one wants to be cut. Are US lawmakers able to understand such complex DeFi clauses? I doubt it. The 48-hour turnaround drama... this is just Washington's daily routine. So now it's the vested interests who are blocking each other, as always. Once it actually gets implemented, it will probably be heavily modified a hundred times.

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StableBoi

· 6h ago

A typical political tug-of-war... Saying support one moment and then betraying the next, this CEO is really something. Stablecoins are indeed easy to trigger a crisis, and DeFi is even more of a mess. --- Another good show, a 48-hour reversal. I have to ask, who still dares to believe in these CEOs' promises? --- Basically, whoever has the bigger chips gets to decide. The Congress hasn't even figured out how to regulate stablecoin yields. --- It feels like this bill is far off... We'll probably have to wait until the Year of the Monkey to see it passed. --- The timing of the Senate recess is really "coincidental." Someone behind the scenes is probably deliberately orchestrating it.

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ForkMaster

· 6h ago

Haha, this CEO causing a fuss—it's just because the profits from stablecoins are too tempting, and they don't want to cut in. A major exchange suddenly turning hostile shows that the real bargaining chips haven't been laid out yet. Once the DeFi restriction clauses came out, it was clear that this bill is still far from being implemented; it's just political games. A 48-hour reversal? With that speed, I'm glad I wasn't holding a position, or my mindset would have already collapsed. This Senate recess will probably be delayed until after the Spring Festival; it's just interest groups recalculating their accounts again.

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