U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has outlined a significant shift in Washington's approach to digital assets, declaring that the Trump administration intends to "go big" on the sector. In a recent interview and subsequent comments to CNBC, Bessent emphasized this priority is not through widespread deregulation but via structured integration under rigorous U.S. regulatory standards.
Bessent's message marks a departure from what many in the industry perceived as a period of regulatory hostility that pushed crypto companies offshore. Instead of directing firms toward uncertain jurisdictions, the new focus is on clarity, compliance, and capital formation. The Secretary stressed the application of the highest U.S. regulatory and anti-money laundering (AML) standards to digital asset markets. The goal is to create a framework robust enough to attract institutional capital while maintaining market integrity.
The administration's strategy aligns with broader calls in Congress for comprehensive crypto market structure legislation. Bessent is now urging Congress to fast-track the CLARITY Act, aiming to have the bill on President Donald Trump's desk by spring 2026. He argued that clear rules are precisely what is needed to calm recent Bitcoin price volatility and provide "great comfort" to rattled investors, especially after Bitcoin fell nearly 50% from its October 2025 highs.
The CLARITY Act seeks to resolve the long-standing jurisdictional conflict between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). It would grant the CFTC authority over digital commodities like Bitcoin spot markets, while the SEC would retain oversight of investment contracts. This delineation would finally provide businesses with a clear understanding of which rules to follow.
However, the bill's progress has stalled due to disagreements, notably over stablecoin provisions, leading even industry giants like Coinbase to pull their support. Bessent criticized such "recalcitrant actors" for holding back progress. He is pressing for a resolution by a March 1 deadline, warning that failure could lead to renewed market uncertainty and choppy price action.
Market participants are reacting to the changed tone. David Duong, Head of Global Research at Coinbase Institutional, expressed optimism in an exclusive chat with 99Bitcoins.com, stating, "I think that we've already gotten stablecoin oversight. Market structure clarity is going to emerge too." He noted that prediction markets for the bill's passage have increased from 20% to 60% odds, reflecting growing confidence in legislative progress.
The underlying philosophy, as articulated by Bessent, is strategic: "capital follows clarity." Regulatory certainty reduces risk premiums, lowers barriers to entry for traditional finance, and increases the likelihood of long-term institutional allocations. If Washington can balance rigorous AML enforcement with regulatory transparency, the U.S. could reposition itself as a central hub in the global digital asset economy.
