Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Calls CLARITY Act a National Priority

Highlights:

• Treasury Secretary called the CLARITY Act a national priority and urged Congress to pass it quickly.
• He said confusing U.S. crypto rules are pushing firms toward markets like Singapore and Abu Dhabi.
• The bill would set clear federal oversight for digital assets, registration, consumer protection, and market conduct.

United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is calling on Congress to pass the Clarity Act, a major crypto regulation bill, calling it a national priority. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Wednesday, Bessent argued that clear federal rules for digital assets are essential to keep crypto innovation and investment anchored in the United States.

Bessent said the current regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies remains confusing and fragmented. This uncertainty, he noted, has pushed crypto companies to build operations in countries with clearer rules, such as Singapore and Abu Dhabi. “The benefits of domiciling in the U.S. rarely outweighed the risks,” Bessent wrote. He urged lawmakers to act now while Senate floor time remains available.

🚨JUST IN: US TREASURY SECRETARY BESSENT DECLARES THE CLARITY ACT A NATIONAL PRIORITY

US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, has stepped into the crypto regulation debate, framing the Clarity Act not as a financial matter but as a question of national security.

Writing in a… pic.twitter.com/9QOYUkqQqn

— BSCN (@BSCNews) April 9, 2026

What the Clarity Act Aims to Do

The CLARITY Act would create the first broad federal framework for digital assets in the United States. So far, crypto firms have been operating under a messy mix of state rules and overlapping federal oversight. The bill would bring more structure by defining which agencies regulate different types of digital assets and by setting core standards for registration, consumer protection, and market conduct.

Supporters argue that clear rules would give companies the confidence to launch products, hire staff, and serve U.S. customers without the constant risk of surprise enforcement. The House passed its version of the bill in July last year, but the measure has moved more slowly in the Senate.

One major sticking point is the ongoing dispute between traditional banks and crypto firms over how to handle interest and reward programs tied to stablecoins, which are digital tokens usually linked to the U.S. dollar.

Bessent Says Clear Rules Can Protect U.S. Leadership

Digital assets are no longer a small corner of finance. Over the past year, the global crypto market has stayed between $2 trillion and $3 trillion. The report noted that nearly one in six Americans now owns some type of digital asset. Large banks and major financial firms have also moved into the sector by launching, or trying to launch, crypto-related investment products.

Bessent argued that the United States has long played a leading role in setting financial standards around the world. He said passing the CLARITY Act would help preserve that position as blockchain technology expands into payments, settlements, and real-world asset trading.

Bessent admitted that some crypto companies have pushed back against parts of the bill. Even so, he said a bipartisan group of lawmakers is still trying to move it ahead. He also said in February that the measure would bring “great comfort to the market” during volatile periods. 

The Treasury Secretary’s backing adds fresh momentum to the industry’s long-standing demand for clear federal crypto rules. If the CLARITY Act becomes law, it could mark a major shift in U.S. crypto policy by replacing years of uncertainty with a more defined path for growth and oversight.