U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), a leading congressional advocate for cryptocurrency, announced on December 19 that she will not seek re-election in 2026. In a statement, Lummis cited exhaustion from recent legislative sessions, stating she feels "like a sprinter in a marathon" and lacks the energy for another six-year term. She emphasized that her retirement does not signal a shift in her pro-crypto stance and vowed to work with President Trump to advance key digital asset legislation to his desk before her term ends.
Lummis, known as the "Crypto Queen," built a significant legislative legacy focused on digital assets. She co-sponsored the Lummis-Gillibrand Responsible Financial Innovation Act, championed the GENIUS Act stablecoin framework that became law in 2025, and most notably proposed the BITCOIN Act of 2025, which aimed to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve for the U.S. government. As chair of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets, she pushed for clear regulatory distinctions between securities and commodities and advocated for better tax treatment of crypto transactions.
Reports indicate that Representative Harriet Hageman, Wyoming's sole House member, is positioning herself as Lummis's likely successor. Hageman's adviser confirmed she will have an announcement regarding a Senate run next week. Hageman's voting record aligns closely with Lummis's pro-crypto approach. She voted yes on the landmark FIT21 and CLARITY Acts, co-sponsored the BITCOIN Act, supported the GENIUS stablecoin framework, and is a vocal opponent of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), having co-sponsored the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act.
The potential transition from Lummis to Hageman suggests continuity for pro-cryptocurrency advocacy from Wyoming's congressional delegation. Both lawmakers share similar positions on crypto adoption, stablecoin regulation, opposition to CBDCs, and support for market structure legislation.
