The US lawmakers postponed the broad rules governing the cryptocurrency market, giving the housing policy more importance. The Senate Banking Committee diverted the focus to the affordability measures, which are the key ingredients of Trump’s agenda.
Officials think that the delay of the crypto bill will take several weeks, and some sources estimate that discussing it again will happen in late February or March. The change is a sign of increasing political pressure in view of the forthcoming congressional elections.
The highest monthly cost for most American households is still rent or mortgage payments. Lawmakers in many states are still swayed by inflation concerns. The recent delay is a result of the earlier postponement when the industry opposition became stronger.
US lawmakers delayed cryptocurrency market rules, prioritising Trump’s housing affordability agenda. [Invezz]
What Housing Policies Are Lawmakers Focusing On?
The legislators are looking into the possibility of barring institutional investors from buying detached houses. Trump had already set the ball rolling by issuing an executive order that instructed government agencies to limit their financial support for such transactions.
The Treasury Department has been asked to put a cap on the total holdings of large institutional investors. The officials are convinced that these measures could promote housing availability. However, the analysts pointed out that the big investors hold less than one per cent of the total national single-family housing stock.
The net effect on prices is still not clear. The politicians’ push is still in favour of the conspicuous price-cutting measures. These policies are the most time-consuming on legislative calendars.
How Does The Delay Impact Crypto Regulation 2026?
The delay casts a shadow over the final decision of global markets on crypto regulation in 2026. The leaders from the industry are looking for the regulators to be more certain and clearer so they can plan their investments properly.
The proposal is intended to settle the dispute between the SEC and CFTC as far as control is concerned. Both the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are saying they have the right to regulate digital assets.
The legislators agree that it is a must for Congress to delineate its jurisdiction. Coinbase backed out of the support last week for the reason of structural issues. The breather given to the lobby groups makes their negotiation time longer.
The investors are very cautious and watching the situation move along very closely because of the regulatory uncertainty that prevails.
The delay clouds global crypto regulation 2026 certainty, unsettling industry investment planning. [Sumsub]
Senate Shifts Legislative Focus Amid Political Pressure
The committee that handles banking matters in the Senate has not given any public comment regarding the changes in the timetable. The administration of the White House has not reacted to requests for further clarification.
The officials of the Trump administration are stressing the need for a quick resolution of inflation pressures. The housing policy is sure to be seen by voters immediately. Last year, several Republican candidates lost their elections.
The lawmakers are trying to get some policy wins before the campaigns, which will be more intense, begin to run. It is not uncommon for the regulatory priorities to change during the elections. The crypto policy, as a result, indirectly faces political resistance.
Industry Stakeholders Push For Regulatory Clarity
The crypto companies think that the delays are blockers to innovation and the securement of capital. In the meantime, global rivals are continuing to make progress with their digital assets’ regulatory frameworks.
Market people would like to have unified rules for compliance. The lack of clear rules in the crypto market is a source of operational risks. The big investors in the stock market prefer to invest in areas where the regulations are clear and certain.
The uncertainty that is prevailing may scare off the development of the infrastructure that requires a long-term time horizon. The lobbying activities are still continuing, but they are not visible to the public. There is a possibility that a language of compromise will be reached through the prolonged negotiations.
Crypto delays hinder innovation while rivals advance regulatory frameworks. [Elliptic]
Global Markets Watch US Policy Direction Closely
The international regulators closely observe the signals coming from the US policy. The US decisions have a far-reaching impact on the crypto standards all over the world.
If the uncertainty persists, the innovation will likely be moved to other countries. Asia and Europe are still working on their regulatory frameworks and slowly but surely improving them. Capital usually flows to places with stable regulations.
The market is unstable as long as the policies are not clear. The investors are waiting for clearer guidance before increasing their exposure. The timelines are not fixed as the talks are still going on.
Also Read: Cryptocurrency Supervision In 2026 Sparks Legal Battles Over Expanding CFTC Authority
FAQs
Q1: What caused the crypto bill delay?
A1: Lawmakers shifted focus toward housing affordability measures supporting Trump’s policy agenda.
Q2: How long could the delay last?
A2: Sources indicate late February or March remains the earliest window for reconsideration.
Q3: Why did Coinbase withdraw support?
A3: The company raised concerns over regulatory authority balance and market structure provisions.
Q4: Will this affect international crypto markets?
A4: Yes, US regulatory signals influence global investment strategies and policy alignment.
