**[Benchmark: Delay in Crypto Market Structure Bill May Lead to Structural Constraints on the U.S. Crypto Market]** Odaily Planet Daily News – Wall Street brokerage Benchmark stated that if Congress fails to pass the market structure bill this year, the U.S. cryptocurrency market will face structural constraints. Analyst Mark Palmer noted in a report that the absence of legislation would result in the persistence of structural risk premiums, thereby limiting valuation expansion for platforms influenced by the U.S. This situation would delay the maturation process of cryptocurrencies, leading investors to favor Bitcoin-centric investments, strong balance sheets, and cash flow-generating infrastructure over areas sensitive to regulation, such as exchanges, decentralized finance (DeFi), and altcoins. Among these, DeFi and smart contract platforms are the most vulnerable, while Bitcoin, miners, and energy-supported infrastructure face relatively lower risks. The bill aims to define how digital assets are classified as commodities or securities and clarify the regulatory responsibilities of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to establish market structure. Despite the delay, Palmer still believes the likelihood of the bill passing is greater than it not passing, and any version of the legislation would reduce regulatory risks and unlock broader institutional participation. (CoinDesk)