Coinbase CEO Expects U.S. Crypto Regulatory Clarity Even if CLARITY Act Fails

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong discussing U.S. crypto regulatory clarity and the CLARITY Act.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong expects the United States to make progress toward clearer cryptocurrency regulations even if the Senate rejects the CLARITY Act, arguing that broad support for clearer rules could push regulators to move forward independently.

Armstrong made the comments in an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” on Thursday, ahead of a scheduled Senate vote on the legislation on September 15. He pointed to support from cryptocurrency companies, banks and law enforcement as factors that could sustain momentum for regulatory reform even if the bill does not pass.

Armstrong Sees Regulatory Progress Beyond CLARITY Act

The CLARITY Act has become a key focus of the U.S. cryptocurrency industry as lawmakers consider legislation intended to establish clearer rules for digital assets and define regulatory responsibilities.

Armstrong said regulatory clarity could still emerge if the legislation fails in the Senate. Rather than viewing the bill as the only path toward a clearer framework, the Coinbase chief executive expects federal regulators to continue advancing their own rule-making efforts.

According to BSCN, Armstrong believes the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) could move ahead with regulatory processes soon after the Senate vote.

That would create a separate route for the industry to obtain clearer regulatory guidance, although the precise scope and timing of any agency action would depend on the regulators themselves.

Senate Vote Scheduled for September 15

The Senate is scheduled to vote on the CLARITY Act on September 15, making the outcome an important near-term event for the U.S. digital-asset industry.

Armstrong's comments indicate that he does not view the legislation's potential failure as necessarily ending efforts to establish clearer cryptocurrency rules. His expectation instead rests on what he described as broad backing across several groups, including crypto companies, financial institutions and law enforcement.

The distinction is important because legislation and agency rule-making represent different mechanisms for establishing regulatory requirements. Congressional action can create statutory authority and obligations, while regulators can develop rules and guidance within their existing mandates.

SEC and CFTC Could Remain Central

If the CLARITY Act fails, Armstrong expects the SEC and CFTC to continue playing central roles in the next phase of U.S. crypto regulation.

His expectation is that both agencies could begin or accelerate rule-making after the Senate vote. However, the X post does not provide specific details about which rules would be introduced, the assets or market activities they would cover, or when any such measures would take effect.

For now, the September 15 Senate vote remains the clearest immediate milestone identified in the report. Armstrong's broader view is that regulatory clarity in the United States could advance even without congressional passage of the CLARITY Act, with federal agencies potentially becoming the next focus of the process.

BSCN

writer: Ethan Collins
Crypto Journalist
Ethan Collins reports on developments across the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector. His work covers market movements, protocol updates, regulatory changes, and emerging trends in digital assets.
He focuses on presenting complex topics in a clear and accessible manner for a broad readership.