U.S. House Blocks Crypto Bills in Blow to Regulatory Momentum

Efforts to establish a clear regulatory path for the cryptocurrency industry in the U.S. hit a major roadblock Tuesday, as the House of Representatives voted 196-223 against advancing three key crypto bills.

The procedural vote stalled what had been dubbed “Crypto Week,” where lawmakers were expected to vote on sweeping legislation related to stablecoins, digital asset classification, and central bank digital currencies.

At the heart of the package was the GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins), which passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support (68-30). It would have required stablecoins to be backed 1:1 with U.S. dollars or similar liquid reserves, enforce annual audits for large issuers, and provide clear registration guidelines for foreign issuers.

The CLARITY Act was also on the docket, aiming to resolve jurisdictional confusion between the SEC and CFTC by categorizing which digital assets qualify as securities versus commodities. Meanwhile, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act sought to ban a Federal Reserve-issued digital dollar, citing privacy concerns.

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The failed vote, with 210 Democrats and 13 Republicans opposing, has now stalled momentum on what many considered landmark legislation. Aides say another vote could take place later Tuesday, but passage appears uncertain.

For the crypto industry, this delay could prolong market uncertainty. These bills promised regulatory clarity that might have encouraged institutional adoption and reinforced Bitcoin’s recent rally past $123,000. Without legislative progress, however, analysts warn of renewed market volatility.

Still, optimism remains. If the GOP can repackage and reintroduce the bills later this week, momentum could return—and with it, the potential for broader U.S. crypto regulation.

Kosta Gushterov

Kosta has been working in the crypto industry for over 4 years. He strives to present different perspectives on a given topic and enjoys the sector for its transparency and dynamism. In his work, he focuses on balanced coverage of events and developments in the crypto space, providing information to his readers from a neutral perspective.