The US Senate Agriculture Committee will vote next week on a sweeping crypto market structure bill as lawmakers file amendments addressing ethics conflicts and regulatory readiness. The changes arrive days before a scheduled markup, signalling unresolved disagreements that could shape the bill’s future. At the centre of the debate sits an ethics proposal tied to President Donald Trump’s crypto interests and broader questions about market oversight.
Ahead of Tuesday’s markup, members submitted several amendments, including a proposal from Michael Bennet to add the Digital Asset Ethics Act to the bill. The amendment would restrict “covered individuals”, including the president, vice president, and lawmakers, from engaging in specific digital asset transactions.
It seeks to limit financial activity that could raise conflict concerns while lawmakers craft crypto regulations. The proposal reflects Democratic concerns over Trump’s personal and family involvement in crypto ventures. According to Bloomberg estimates cited by lawmakers, Trump earned roughly $1.4 billion from crypto-related businesses. Those ventures include DeFi and stablecoin project World Liberty Financial.
The Trump family also holds a reported 20% stake in the mining firm American Bitcoin. Democrats link these interests to calls for stronger ethics rules as Congress sets new market standards. Can lawmakers regulate digital assets while senior officials retain direct financial exposure to the same markets?
Beyond ethics, lawmakers filed amendments focused on enforcement capacity and consumer protection. One proposal targets fake or misleading transactions at digital asset kiosks, which lawmakers view as a growing risk. The language aims to reduce fraud while improving transparency in retail-facing crypto services.
Another amendment came from Amy Klobuchar and focuses on regulatory readiness.
Her proposal would delay the bill’s implementation until at least four commissioners sit at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The agency currently operates with only one commissioner, Chair Michael Selig.
Federal law allows a maximum of five CFTC commissioners, with no more than three from one political party. Lawmakers argue that a single-commissioner agency lacks the capacity to enforce sweeping new crypto rules. That concern has surfaced repeatedly during committee discussions and amendment filings.
Also Read: Senate Agriculture Panel Pushes Crypto Market Bill to Markup Next Week
The committee released the bill text earlier this week under the leadership of Chair John Boozman. He acknowledged ongoing differences on fundamental policy issues despite weeks of bipartisan talks. He said collaboration improved the bill, even without full agreement.
For the legislation to advance beyond committee, it must secure at least 60 votes in the full Senate. That threshold requires bipartisan support across disputes over oversight authority, stablecoin rules, and ethics safeguards. Lawmakers from both parties continue negotiations as the markup approaches.
The Senate Banking Committee has faced delays on similar crypto legislation, increasing attention on the Agriculture panel’s effort. Industry observers view the bill as one of Congress’s most significant attempts to define crypto market structure. Next week’s vote may determine whether the bill advances or faces further revisions before broader Senate consideration.
Lawmakers filed ethics and oversight amendments ahead of a key Senate Agriculture Committee vote on a sweeping crypto market structure bill. The changes target conflicts of interest and regulatory readiness at the CFTC. The outcome will shape the bill’s path and determine whether bipartisan support emerges.