Efforts to bring long-awaited regulatory clarity to the US crypto market may face a prolonged timeline, even if current legislation succeeds. Industry experts warn that the rulemaking phase — which follows the passage of any major law could stretch across multiple presidential terms, delaying real-world impact for years.
The proposed crypto market structure bill has progressed to Senate committees with bipartisan language and active negotiations. While a markup is scheduled with the Senate Banking Committee, further discussions remain pending in other panels. Even if lawmakers approve the bill and it is signed into law, implementation would be far from immediate.
Slaughter predicted in a X post on Tuesday;
The legislation mandates dozens of individual rulemakings, requiring federal agencies to draft, publish, revise, and finalize detailed regulations. This process includes public comment periods and inter-agency coordination which historically takes years to complete.
Previous financial reforms offer a clear precedent. Major post-crisis laws passed more than a decade ago still have unfinished regulatory components today. In many cases, core rules were finalized three to eight years after passage, underscoring how slowly complex financial legislation becomes fully operational.
Before rulemaking can even begin, the bill must survive the legislative process itself. Major financial laws often stall, collapse, and resurface multiple times before final approval. As a result, regulatory clarity for crypto markets may remain a long-term goal rather than an immediate outcome.This extended timeline highlights why the industry continues to operate amid uncertainty, despite growing momentum in Washington.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.