With the longest government shutdown in U.S. history coming to an end, some lawmakers are turning their attention to passing a digital asset market structure bill, which could become a decisive issue for many voters in the 2026 midterm elections.
The U.S. Senate Banking Committee and the Senate Agriculture Committee have released a discussion draft, which is their version of the market structure bill based on the CLARITY Act passed by the House in July. Although this congressional session will last until January 2027, lawmakers may have a limited window of time to pass the bill known as the "Responsible Financial Innovation Act" during the holiday season and as midterm election campaigns begin.
"As we head into 2026, market structure remains a top priority for everyone," Mason Lynaugh, community director of Stand With Crypto, told Cointelegraph, adding:
Republican leader Cynthia Lummis of the Senate Banking Committee stated in August that the bill would emerge from the Banking and Agriculture Committees before November and become law in 2026. However, the shutdown and opposition from several Democrats could alter this timeline.
Related: SEC Chair promises not to "ease enforcement" on cryptocurrencies under market structure
Reportedly, Republican Senator Tom Tillis of the Senate Banking Committee indicated that lawmakers should act to pass the crypto bill in "January or early February," citing concerns over the midterm elections. According to Tillis, the next federal elections could hinder the progress of crypto legislation.
Similar to 2024, the cryptocurrency industry supports openly advocating for pro-crypto policies and candidates, including political action committees and advocacy organizations like Stand With Crypto, which are expected to influence American voting choices in 2026.
At that time, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 33 seats in the Senate will be up for re-election. Last year, Stand With Crypto reported that a total of 274 candidates deemed "pro-crypto" due to their public statements and voting records won election or re-election, occupying a significant portion of Congress.
U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill, as the Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey, won on November 4 with a margin of about 450,000 votes. According to a survey conducted by Stand With Crypto in June—approximately five months before the election—more than half of 1,000 New Jersey respondents indicated they were more likely to support candidates advocating for pro-crypto policies.
Lynaugh discussed Stand With Crypto's method of evaluating candidates' positions in the digital asset space, stating, "[Sherrill] scored high primarily because she supported several crypto-related bills passed by the House this year." Sherrill had voted in the House in favor of market structure and GENIUS stablecoin-related bills.
As for whether cryptocurrency holders will consider lawmakers' performance on market structure issues when voting in November 2026, it remains uncertain. As of Monday, neither the Senate Banking Committee nor the Agriculture Committee had scheduled a vote on the proposal, and this step is crucial for advancing to a final vote by the full chamber.
Related: The SEC did not specifically mention cryptocurrencies in its 2026 review priorities
Original article: How the Market Structure Bill Vote Could Impact 2026 Crypto Voters
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