Senate Signals Late-December Push on Crypto Market Structure Bill

• Senate panel targets Dec 17–18 markup as crypto bill gains needed votes.
• GOP holds 13 votes; a few Democrats show early support, boosting momentum.
• D.C. event signals rising bipartisan focus on crypto policy heading into 2026.

Senator Tim Scott has indicated that the Senate Banking Committee is preparing for a possible markup of its long-discussed text on the crypto market structure during the final days of the congressional calendar, citing an emerging alignment among members.

Speaking at a Washington gathering focused on digital-asset policy, Scott said the panel now sees a feasible path to holding a markup on December 17 or 18, immediately before lawmakers depart for the holiday recess. His remarks indicated that the committee believes it has the necessary votes to proceed, provided that member availability aligns within the narrow window remaining.

Lawmakers Outline Vote Math as Discussions Intensify

Scott made the comments during a Christmas-season event hosted alongside Senators Bill Hagerty and Cynthia Lummis at Pubkey, a Bitcoin-themed venue in Washington that has become an occasional meeting point for policymakers who follow the sector.

According to reporting from Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett, Scott told attendees that Republicans hold thirteen votes on the draft text and that two or three Democrats have expressed early interest in supporting the effort. The committee’s outlook follows earlier indications that Senate leadership had hoped to move the markup in early December.

Approximately two hundred attendees were present at the event, which was sponsored by Great Opportunity Policy, a GOP-aligned group focused on technology and economic development. Scott noted that the timing remains tight, but the goal is to bring the bill to markup before the chamber leaves town, placing the meeting in the final hours of the session.

Event Highlights Crypto Policy Debate and Film Premiere

The gathering also featured the premiere of an eight-minute short film titled Crypto Capital. The film addressed challenges surrounding the GENIUS Act and broader digital-asset policy structure proposals. The screening was followed by a discussion about the current version of the crypto market structure draft, including how the bill fits into ongoing legislative debates. Senator Jon Husted joined the session to lead a question-and-answer exchange with colleagues.

Several former Trump administration officials were in attendance, along with executives from multiple cryptocurrency firms and industry groups. Representatives from organizations including the Digital Chamber, Coinbase, Kraken, Crypto Council for Innovation, Crypto.com, Chainlink Labs, Ripple, a16z, and CleanSpark attended the event.

Scott said supporters are now working to secure a bipartisan vote that would position the bill for advancement at the start of 2026. He added that Senate leaders remain confident that the measure is approaching a viable path forward, even as the schedule compresses.