US Democratic lawmakers have introduced a new set of ethics-focused amendments to the crypto market structure bill, signaling a renewed effort to prevent government officials from personally profiting from the digital asset industry. The amendments were filed ahead of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s upcoming markup, which is expected to shape the future of crypto regulation in the United States.
The broader legislation aims to clarify federal oversight of digital assets, define the roles of regulatory agencies, and provide greater certainty for investors and market participants. However, ethics concerns have become a central focus as lawmakers debate how to balance innovation with accountability.
Ethics Amendments Target Conflicts of Interest in Crypto
One of the most prominent proposals comes from Senator Michael Bennet, who is seeking to incorporate the Digital Asset Ethics Act into the broader crypto market structure bill. The amendment would restrict US officials from financially benefiting from cryptocurrencies or crypto-related businesses while in office.
Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, have repeatedly raised alarms over alleged conflicts of interest involving President Donald Trump and the crypto industry. These concerns center on Trump’s reported involvement with the World Liberty Financial crypto platform, which Democrats say has significantly increased his personal net worth. Supporters of the amendment argue that clear ethics rules are necessary to maintain public trust as crypto becomes more integrated into the financial system.
Regulatory Readiness and Possible Delay to Senate Markup
Another amendment, introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar, would delay the implementation of the bill until the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has a full slate of commissioners. The CFTC is currently operating with only its chair, Michael Selig, who was sworn in on December 22, while four commissioner seats remain vacant with no confirmed timeline for appointments.
Additional amendments from Senators Roger Marshall, Dick Durbin, and Peter Welch seek to attach the Credit Card Competition Act to the legislation. This measure would prevent credit card networks and certain issuing banks from enforcing exclusivity agreements, a move aimed at increasing competition and lowering costs for consumers.
The Senate Agriculture Committee’s markup, currently scheduled for Tuesday, has already faced delays. A previous session was postponed in mid-January due to disagreements over stablecoin reward restrictions and decentralized finance provisions, which prompted Coinbase to withdraw its support. Adding to the uncertainty, an incoming snowstorm forecasted for Washington, DC, could force another postponement, further delaying progress on the bill.
