The debate surrounding the CLARITY Act, a key piece of legislation aimed at defining the crypto market structure in the US, remains stalled as the banking and crypto sectors engage in a fierce contest for its passage. 

At an American Bankers Association (ABA) summit in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Democratic Senator Angela Alsobrooks emphasized the complexity of ongoing negotiations between the two financial sectors. 

She noted that both banking representatives—who view stablecoin rewards as a potential threat to traditional deposits—and the crypto industry, which argues that these rewards serve as essential consumer incentives, are likely to leave the table feeling “just a little bit unhappy.”

Notably, Senator Alsobrooks has been collaborating with Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina to facilitate the long-delayed Senate Banking Committee markup on the legislation. 

As reported by Bitcoinist last week, the current dynamics surrounding the CLARITY Act suggest that even if Democrats oppose it in upcoming committee discussions, it could still advance along party lines. 

In such a scenario, Tillis’ support would be crucial if the Democrats remain unified in their opposition to the bill’s key provisions. His decisions could ultimately determine whether the legislation moves forward or remains at a standstill. Alsobrooks explained: 

The compromise that Senator Tillis and I are working on is designed to put guardrails in place. We want to prevent deposit flight while allowing innovation to flourish. 

The American Bankers Association also presented new survey results that underscore the sector’s concerns. Consumers, by a margin of 6-to-1, agree that as Congress establishes rules for digital assets, it should proceed cautiously to avoid undermining the existing financial system, particularly regarding community banks.

Additionally, 42% of consumers believe that Congress should prohibit stablecoin issuers from offering interest and rewards if such practices threaten to limit the funds banks have available for lending.

The survey further revealed that stablecoin adoption remains low, with 90% of respondents indicating they do not currently own any stablecoin, and 80% stating that they have never owned one. Only 17% expressed a likelihood of buying or using stablecoins in the next year.

ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols reiterated the need for regulation: “Consumers are clear: Any fintech or crypto company offering bank-like products should adhere to the same rigorous standards that apply to banks,” he stated. 

As negotiations continue, with President Donald Trump openly supporting the crypto sector, the next crucial step will be a Senate Banking Committee markup hearing.

If the CLARITY Act passes this stage, it could be merged with a version that has already gained approval from the Senate Agriculture Committee. Subsequently, a final version would be put forth for a vote in the full Senate.

Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com 

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