US Senate Targets April for Crypto Market Regulation Bill

Lawmakers aim to advance legislation defining oversight roles and trading rules for digital assets.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:27pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dynamic, fractured painting of the U.S. Capitol building in shades of blue, grey, and red, conceptually representing the evolving nature of cryptocurrency regulation in the political sphere.As Congress races to establish a regulatory framework for the crypto industry, the path forward remains dynamic and uncertain.Today in Nashville

United States lawmakers are working toward an April timeline to begin advancing legislation that would establish a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency markets, according to Senator Bill Hagerty. The proposed bill would aim to clarify oversight responsibilities between federal agencies like the SEC and CFTC, as well as set standards for trading venues, brokers, and custodians handling digital assets.

Why it matters

Growing pressure from large financial institutions has pushed Congress to create clearer, more predictable regulations around cryptocurrencies and other digital assets. Uncertainty over how different crypto products are classified and which regulators have authority has created operational challenges for firms looking to participate in the crypto market.

The details

The Senate Banking Committee is targeting the next work period, starting April 10th, to begin formal consideration of the crypto market structure legislation. Senator Hagerty said he expects the bill to be 'into the banking committee' over the following several weeks. While details of the final text remain under discussion, the timeline suggests lawmakers are moving toward committee-level action on a draft framework. The proposed legislation would aim to resolve ambiguities around whether certain crypto tokens are regulated as securities or commodities, as well as address issues like stablecoin regulation and custody standards.

  • The Senate Banking Committee is targeting the next work period, starting April 10th, to begin formal consideration of the crypto market structure legislation.
  • Senator Hagerty expects the bill to be 'into the banking committee' over the following several weeks.

The players

Bill Hagerty

A U.S. Senator and member of the Senate Banking Committee who signaled the April timeline for advancing crypto market regulation legislation.

U.S. Senate Banking Committee

The congressional committee responsible for drafting and advancing the proposed crypto market structure legislation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We will be in a position, I hope, to bring all of this together very soon. On the banking committee side, I think we're very close, and my expectation is that we get it into the committee in this next work period that starts on Monday of next week, so that over the next several weeks we should have this into the banking committee.”

— Bill Hagerty, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The Senate Banking Committee is expected to formally consider the crypto market structure legislation during its next work period starting on April 10th, with the goal of advancing the bill over the following several weeks.

The takeaway

The April timeline for advancing crypto market regulation legislation signals growing urgency from policymakers to provide clearer rules and oversight for the digital asset industry. This move comes in response to mounting pressure from large financial institutions seeking more predictable compliance frameworks to participate in crypto markets.