Trump Accepts Ethics Rules as CLARITY Act Moves Toward Senate Vote

The CLARITY Act, a major US cryptocurrency market-structure bill that would establish clearer regulatory responsibilities for digital assets, is moving forward after months of deadlock following President Donald Trump’s agreement to new ethics provisions.

President Donald Trump has agreed to new ethics restrictions tied to the CLARITY Act as lawmakers seek bipartisan support for the cryptocurrency market-structure bill.

Senate Republicans released a revised version of the legislation on Sept. 14 containing 126 significant changes, including measures addressing concerns over federal officials’ financial interests in cryptocurrency.

The bill is scheduled for a pivotal procedural vote in the Senate on Tuesday.

The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act would establish a regulatory framework dividing oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Under the revised provisions, federal officials and their spouses would face restrictions on significant crypto interests, including requirements to divest or place certain holdings in a blind trust.

The legislation would also prohibit federal officials from issuing digital assets while in office.

State attorneys general would receive a role in enforcing parts of the legislation.

The changes address Democratic concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving Trump and his family's cryptocurrency businesses. The president and his family have earned substantial amounts from crypto-related ventures, including World Liberty Financial and the TRUMP memecoin.

The House passed its version of the CLARITY Act in July 2025 by a vote of 294-134.

The Senate has since struggled to reach a bipartisan agreement on the bill, with ethics provisions and concerns over stablecoins among the major points of contention.

Trump's agreement to the revised ethics language represents a significant concession.

Republicans said the president accepted about 80% of the ethics proposal advanced by Sens. Ruben Gallego and Thom Tillis, although some Democrats continue to argue that the restrictions do not go far enough.

The Senate must secure 60 votes for the legislation to advance through the procedural stage. Its ultimate passage remains uncertain.