Clarity Act Next Week, Democrats Strike: Hearings Demanded on Trump-Crypto Ties — The U.S. Political Power Struggle Intensifies
The American crypto industry is holding its breath. While the final version of the highly anticipated Clarity Act could be introduced as early as next week, a new political front is opening in Washington. Senate Democrats are calling for formal hearings on the alleged ties between former President and candidate Donald Trump and the cryptocurrency sector. This offensive comes as crypto lobbying spending has reached historic highs, with $189 million poured into the legislative battle.
The Clarity Act Finally Nearing the Finish Line
After months of negotiations, delays, and revisions, the final version of the Clarity Act — the federal law aiming to clarify the regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies in the United States — could be introduced before Congress as early as the week of July 11, 2026. Well-informed sources expect the text to be officially presented within days, marking a decisive step in a legislative process that has been ongoing for several years.
The Clarity Act, backed by a bipartisan coalition, aims to end the regulatory uncertainty weighing on the U.S. crypto ecosystem. It seeks to precisely define what constitutes a security and what falls under a commodity in the digital asset space — a crucial distinction in determining which agency — the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) or the CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) — holds regulatory authority.
For industry players, the stakes are existential. A clear framework would allow crypto companies to grow without fear of retroactive lawsuits, while offering stronger protection for retail investors. The pressure is even greater as competing jurisdictions, notably the European Union with its MiCA regulation (Markets in Crypto-Assets), have already implemented operational frameworks.
The Democratic Offensive: Hearings on Trump-Crypto Ties
It is in this tense climate that Senate Democrats have decided to go on the offensive. Several Democratic senators have officially called for hearings on the alleged ties between Donald Trump and the cryptocurrency industry. This request, coming amid the debate on the Clarity Act, adds an extra political dimension to an already complex matter.
Democrats believe hearings are necessary to shed light on the relationship between the former president and certain crypto sector players, especially as Trump has positioned himself in recent months as a defender of digital assets. His favorable statements toward Bitcoin and the crypto industry, combined with personal projects in NFTs and decentralized platforms, have raised questions within the Democratic camp.
The underlying question is whether these ties could directly or indirectly influence the White House or Republicans’ stance on the Clarity Act. Democrats are therefore demanding full transparency on the matter, fearing a potential conflict of interest as the law advances rapidly.
For now, the White House has not officially responded to the request for hearings. Observers note that the timing is particularly sensitive: with the Clarity Act about to be introduced, any controversy could slow its adoption or complicate negotiations between the two sides.
A $189 Million Lobbying Campaign
The intensity of the political debate around the Clarity Act is reflected in record lobbying spending figures. According to available data, the crypto industry has spent no less than $189 million to advance its legislative interests, with a significant portion specifically dedicated to promoting the Clarity Act.
This sum, unprecedented in the history of sectoral lobbying, demonstrates the determination of crypto players to secure a favorable regulatory framework. Industry heavyweights like Coinbase, Circle, Ripple, and the Blockchain Association have invested heavily in influence campaigns targeting lawmakers from both parties.
This record amount is explained by the existential nature of the fight for the sector. Without a clear legal framework, U.S. crypto companies risk relocating their activities to more welcoming jurisdictions, such as Singapore, Dubai, or Europe. The pressure exerted by this lobbying has undoubtedly helped move the Clarity Act forward on the legislative calendar, but it also fuels criticism about the sector’s influence on the democratic process.
In their request for hearings, Democrats point precisely to this question: To what extent has this $189 million in lobbying shaped the content of the Clarity Act? And which particular interests were favored in drafting the text? These questions lie at the heart of the current power struggle.
The European Regulatory Context: MiCA and Increased Scrutiny
While the United States tries to find its regulatory balance, Europe is moving forward with its MiCA framework, already in its implementation phase. Crypto custodians — entities that hold digital assets on behalf of clients — now face increased regulatory scrutiny from European authorities.
This rise in European supervision serves both as a model and a warning for U.S. lawmakers. On one hand, MiCA demonstrates that a comprehensive regulatory framework is possible and can even spur innovation by offering predictability to economic actors. On the other hand, it imposes heavy operational constraints, particularly regarding anti-money laundering, asset custody, and consumer protection.
European custodians must now comply with strict requirements on minimum capital, asset segregation, reporting, and governance. Supervisory authorities have significantly strengthened their inspection and control capabilities. This trend is also visible in the United States, where the SEC and the CFTC, despite still-vacant leadership positions for Democratic nominees, continue to exert significant regulatory pressure.
Vacant Posts at the SEC and CFTC: A Political Impasse
Another key element of the U.S. political puzzle concerns the leadership positions at the SEC and the CFTC. As the Biden administration attempts to fill these posts with Democratic candidates, the White House reports receiving no response from them. This deadlock adds an extra layer of uncertainty to an already complex regulatory landscape.
The vacancies are particularly problematic at a time when the Clarity Act is set to redefine the respective responsibilities of the two agencies. Without clear leadership, implementation of the future law could be significantly delayed, regardless of the final content of the text passed by Congress.
Industry players are closely monitoring this situation, aware that the identity of future SEC and CFTC heads will deeply influence the interpretation and enforcement of the Clarity Act. A regulator favorable to innovation might adopt a flexible approach, while a more cautious regulator could tighten the application conditions.
The Crypto Market as of July 11, 2026
In this context of intense political uncertainty, the cryptocurrency market shows relative stability. Bitcoin is trading at $64,164 on Binance as of July 11, 2026 — a level that reflects both the asset’s resilience and investors’ wait-and-see attitude toward upcoming legislative developments.
The Fear and Greed Index stands at 26, in the so-called recovery zone. After weeks of extreme fear, the market appears to be slowly regaining confidence, without tipping into euphoria. This cautious reading is consistent with the general investor sentiment, which oscillates between optimism regarding the Clarity Act’s adoption and concern over new political tensions.
Volatility remains moderate, with traders awaiting clear signals on the evolution of the U.S. regulatory framework. Adoption of the Clarity Act would be seen as extremely positive for the sector and could trigger a significant upward movement. Conversely, a stalling of the legislative process, coupled with contentious hearings, could keep pressure on prices.
What Prospects for the U.S. Crypto Sector?
The imminent introduction of the Clarity Act represents a historic window of opportunity for the American crypto industry. If passed, it could provide the long-awaited regulatory clarity and pave the way for a new phase of sector growth. Institutional investors, who remain hesitant to commit heavily due to the lack of a clear legal framework, could then accelerate their entry into the market.
However, the Democratic offensive on Trump-crypto ties and the demand for hearings add an unpredictable political variable. If these hearings materialize, they could slow the legislative process and expose the sector to potentially embarrassing revelations. The coming period will therefore be decisive for the future of crypto regulation in the United States.
French-speaking investors must closely follow these developments. The outcome of the Clarity Act and the hearings demanded by Democrats will have repercussions far beyond U.S. borders, influencing regulatory frameworks adopted by other countries and, ultimately, the trajectory of the global cryptocurrency market.
The current political battle extends well beyond the technical question of digital asset classification. It is a true test for American democracy faced with the emergence of a disruptive industry. Between record lobbying, allegations of conflicts of interest, and the need to protect investors, the power struggle around the Clarity Act crystallizes all the tensions of our era.
In the coming days, as the final version of the text is introduced and Democrats intensify their demands for hearings, will the U.S. crypto sector succeed in convincing lawmakers of its legitimacy? The answer to this question will determine not only the future of regulation in the United States but also America’s place in the global competition for digital innovation — against a Europe already well advanced with MiCA.
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