Crypto Industry Spent $8M on Clarity Act Lobbying That Failed

Clarity Act lobbying — The U.S. crypto industry spent at least $8 million on lobbying efforts tied to the Clarity Act market structure bill in the first half of 2026, disclosures show, but the legislation ultimately failed to advance in the Senate.

Coinbase led the sector’s expensive lobbying charge, according to a review of federal disclosures by CoinDesk. A long list of other crypto firms and trade groups also ran their own lobbyists.

The industry additionally spent millions on at least 42 professional, outside lobbying firms. In total, the sector devoted $13 million to lobbying in the first half of the year, with the majority linked to the push for the Clarity Act.

The bill, which aimed to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets, passed the House of Representatives but stalled in the Senate, marking a significant setback for the industry’s legislative agenda.