At Mar-a-Lago this week, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Senator Bernie Moreno signaled a possible comeback for the stalled CLARITY Act.
Speaking at the World Liberty Forum, they pushed back against claims that the crypto industry blocked the bill, with Armstrong framing the earlier setback as a strategic pause to secure better protections for Americans.
Meanwhile, traditional banks are lobbying to remove stablecoin rewards from the bill. Against this backdrop, the CNBC appearance of Armstrong and Moreno shows that the debate is no longer just about technical rules.
It has become a larger fight over the future of finance in the U.S.
Coinbase CEO says CLARITY Act is close to approval
The duo believes there is now a real chance for the CLARITY Act to pass by April 2026.
Remarking on the same, Armstrong said,
“We are going to get this across the finish line, hopefully by April.”
Earlier this year, Armstrong withdrew his support because he was concerned about the SEC’s role and limits on stablecoins. Now, he says a compromise is possible.
Providing further insight on the why, Armstrong added,
“There’s now a path forward where we can get a win-win-win outcome here. A win for the crypto industry, a win for the banks, and a win for the American consumer to get President Trump’s crypto agenda through to the finish line.”
Reasons behind the delay in approval
As it’s now established, the main dispute in the bill is whether stablecoins should be allowed to offer rewards or interest. Banks fear that higher returns from stablecoin wallets will pull money out of savings accounts and weaken deposits.
However, Moreno rejects this view, arguing that people should not have to protect banks and that competition will force them to offer better rates. He also supports faster payments, including daily wages instead of the usual twice-a-month cycle.
Meanwhile, politics is also affecting the bill’s timeline. With the 2026 midterms approaching, Moreno wants it passed by April before election season slows progress.
He doubts Democrats will regain the House, citing voter frustration over inflation and border issues.
Moreno said,
“The Democrats only have one idea, which is hatred of President Trump. And that’s not a very good idea in terms of actually advancing the lives of working Americans.”
Yet, both he and Armstrong praised the Trump administration for actively pushing crypto policy forward.
Polymarket data shows further optimism
This further coincided with Polymarket odds surging to 90% for passage in 2026. This shows growing confidence that the legislative deadlock is finally easing.
Still, getting the bill to President Trump’s desk will be a race against time and will require strong cooperation between different committees.
As Patrick Witt outlined, the bill’s journey is now a matter of procedural endurance rather than just conceptual debate. To reach the finish line before the November 2026 midterms, several critical steps remain.
Final Summary
- The April target is forcing faster negotiations and limiting political delay tactics.
- Lawmakers are positioning the bill as a win for everyday Americans, not just crypto firms.
