CLARITY Act : Three Democratic Senators Blow the Whistle on Missing Ethics Safeguards

The Biden administration, which Donald Trump replaced in January 2025, has never hidden its mistrust of cryptos. The new team is increasing pressure to accelerate the adoption of a favorable regulatory framework. However, the Senate Democrats intend to prove that they remain on the other side of the balance. Their target: the CLARITY Act, which they judge too complacent with the president’s interests.

The CLARITY Act and its missing ethics provisions : three senators take a stand

On July 14, 2026, on the steps of the Capitol, three Democratic senators declared war on the CLARITY Act. Chris Murphy, Jeff Merkley and Chris Van Hollen, joined by actor Ben McKenzie, denounced the lack of ethical provisions in this bill on the crypto market structure.

There is no reason to adopt a new regulatory system for cryptos if this system does not stop Trump’s corruption across the entire industry.

Source: Chris Murphy – Press conference, July 14, 2026

Van Hollen added that Trump pocketed 600 million dollars thanks to the TRUMP memecoin. Meanwhile, more than one million investors lost 3.8 billion dollars in this same venture.

Why does a bill supposed to clarify the crypto market not contain a single word to prevent the president or his family from enriching themselves? The CLARITY Act, adopted by the House nearly a year ago, must reach the threshold of 60 votes in the Senate. The Republican majority, fragile with 52-47 seats, will need Democratic support to pass the text.

Crypto Lobbying : $240 Million to Buy Senate Votes ?

The crypto industry spent 240 million dollars lobbying in 2024, a colossal sum that raises questions about its real influence. Ezra Levin, co-director of Indivisible, summarized the situation with biting irony: 

Congress gave Trump a printing press. And what did he do? He asked for a bigger printing press.

Source: press conference, July 14, 2026.

Ben McKenzie added: crypto lobbyists are trying to recover the hundreds of millions invested in politics. The paradox is striking: the CLARITY Act is presented as a text to clarify crypto regulation. Yet, no provision prevents the president, who earned 1.4 billion dollars from his crypto ventures in 2025, from continuing to profit from the sector he is supposed to regulate.

Democratic senators have proposed ethical amendments, systematically rejected by Republicans in committee. Without these safeguards, the bill becomes a poisoned gift for the industry. A survey commissioned by Americans for Financial Reform reveals that 66% of Americans believe cryptos have too much influence in Washington.

Graham’s Death and a Razor-Thin Majority : The CLARITY Act on the Line

The death of Senator Lindsey Graham, which occurred last weekend, upset the balance of power in the Senate. The Republican majority, already fragile, has dropped to 52-47. Mitch McConnell, still hospitalized, could reduce that number to 51 senators present.

Donald Trump called on the Senate to pass the CLARITY Act “in honor of” Lindsey Graham, although the latter did not publicly support the text. A move that opponents consider indecent.

” A man has died. And within two days, the president is using his death as a whip for urgency on this bill because every day this bill is not passed is a day Trump does not earn his next billion dollars. ” denounced Ezra Levin. 

Law enforcement organizations support the CLARITY Act, but the absence of ethical safeguards could seal its fate. The crypto regulation bill could fall victim to another form of regulation: that of political ethics.

Key figures of the showdown:

• Trump’s crypto revenues in 2025: 1.4 billion;
• Losses of TRUMP memecoin investors: 3.8 billion;
• Crypto lobbying expenses in 2024: 240 million;
• Republican majority in the Senate: 52-47.

The CLARITY Act must deal with another thorn: 76 banking groups point out the text’s blind spot on yields. How to break the deadlock if Democrats and bankers oppose the project?