US President Donald Trump called on Congress to advance the Clarity Act during a White House meeting with major cryptocurrency executives on August 19. The gathering included Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, as well as executives from Coinbase, Robinhood, Kraken, Nasdaq, and Intercontinental Exchange.
Trump pushes Congress on crypto legislation
Turning attention to cryptocurrency regulation after praising the country’s economic progress, Trump emphasized the need for comprehensive federal legislation. He described the United States as “the hottest country anywhere in the world” and argued that legislative clarity would support further technological and financial innovation.
The Clarity Act emerged as a central focus, with Trump urging lawmakers to deliver what he called a fair version of the bill. He characterized the proposed law as “landmark” legislation and highlighted its potential impact on the sector’s regulatory framework.
“Now we need Congress to take the next step by passing the Clarity Act, a fair version of the Clarity Act,” Trump stated, describing the bill as a “very, very powerful structure” for digital assets.
He also connected the urgency of the act to international competition, saying robust rules could help the US retain its role as a leader in technology and finance, especially against China’s accelerating efforts in the digital asset space.
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AAPLClarity Act faces Senate test
The Clarity Act is designed to establish clear federal guidelines for digital assets, defining roles for both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The House passed its version of the bill in 2025, followed by the Senate Banking Committee’s approval in May 2026. However, the legislation still awaits approval by the full Senate.
Republicans must secure Democratic support to meet the Senate’s 60-vote threshold for major bills. With the Senate entering its August recess without a full vote, attention turns to September, when a procedural vote is scheduled for September 15.
If the measure advances in September, the Senate would formally consider it before potentially returning the bill to the House and then to the president’s desk for signature. A delay could push legislative action beyond the November midterm elections.
Mini dictionary: Clarity Act, a proposed US federal law aiming to clarify regulatory oversight of digital assets, including defining the roles of the SEC and CFTC.
| Step | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| House approval | Passed | 2025 |
| Senate Banking Committee | Passed | May 2026 |
| Full Senate vote | Pending | Scheduled for September 15, 2026 |
Brad Garlinghouse and industry leaders at the White House
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse attended the White House event, marking significant representation for the company in federal crypto policymaking discussions. Other attendees included Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev, Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi, Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman, and Intercontinental Exchange CEO Jeff Sprecher.
Ripple is a US-based blockchain company developing payment protocols and exchange networks. Brad Garlinghouse has led the company through regulatory challenges and high-profile partnerships.
Key September decisions ahead
Significant disagreements remain within Congress over provisions governing cryptocurrency holdings and potential profits of government officials, including the president, vice president, and lawmakers. These issues continue to delay the bill’s progress.
Trump’s latest remarks have added presidential backing to efforts to pass digital asset legislation. Industry participants see September as pivotal, as the Senate’s pending vote may set the direction for US crypto regulatory policy before the midterm elections. If no agreement is reached, legislative progress could be postponed for months.
A procedural Senate vote on the Clarity Act is slated for September 15, with the bill’s fate expected to impact both the digital asset industry and federal regulatory leadership.
