Congressman Bryan Steil has confirmed that proposed digital asset market structure legislation remains on track for consideration in the United States, despite recent government shutdown threats that created temporary uncertainty in Washington. The comprehensive regulatory framework, designed to establish clear guidelines for cryptocurrency markets and digital asset classification, continues to move through the legislative process.
While Senate Republicans had previously indicated ambitions to pass digital asset market structure legislation before 2026, the bill’s timeline had already experienced delays prior to the recent government funding crisis. These initial postponements stemmed from the complex nature of crafting comprehensive digital asset regulations that balance innovation with investor protection.
The proposed legislation represents a significant step toward creating federal regulatory clarity for digital assets, which have largely operated in a patchwork of state-level regulations and regulatory guidance. Market participants and industry stakeholders have long advocated for standardized federal oversight to provide legal certainty and foster responsible innovation in the rapidly evolving digital asset space.
Congressman Steil’s reassurance comes as lawmakers continue negotiations on the bill’s specific provisions, including how different digital assets should be classified and which regulatory agencies should have primary oversight authority. The continued progress signals bipartisan recognition of the need to establish comprehensive regulatory frameworks for digital asset markets.
