The National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) has dropped its opposition to the cryptocurrency market structure bill, which is scheduled for a vote later this month after the U.S. Senate returns to work.
In a letter sent on Thursday to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the American law enforcement organization stated it was changing its position on the Clarity Act for Digital Assets (CLARITY) to 'neutral.' The NSA cited 'significant work done by Congress, the administration, and stakeholders to address the numerous legal, regulatory, and enforcement-related issues' associated with the consideration of the bill.
'At this time, we believe the most prudent course is to step back and allow the legislative process to run its course to shape a clear, effective, and much-needed regulatory framework,' said NSA President Troy Wellman and CEO & Executive Director Justin Smith.
Previously, the NSA had opposed provisions of the CLARITY Act, expressing 'serious concerns' about amendments that exempt crypto mixers from many registration requirements. According to the organization, this provision could '[undermine] law enforcement's ability to track transactions and digital assets, and return funds to victims.'
'The CLARITY Act protects the crypto industry, not society,' Sheriff Jim Skinner stated in an NSA video in July.
Related Reading: Rushing a Vote on CLARITY Could Set Legislation Back, Warns Galego
The CLARITY Act, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in July 2025, has faced several hurdles since being sent to the Senate for consideration. Although the Senate Agriculture and Banking Committees approved their versions of the bill in 2026, many interest groups and lawmakers continue to express concerns about certain aspects of the legislation, including stablecoin rewards, tokenized stocks, and potential conflicts of interest related to President Donald Trump and his family.
Before the August recess, Thune introduced a motion for a procedural vote on the bill on September 15th, after senators return from work periods in their states.
Will U.S. Regulators Proceed Without CLARITY?
In August, Trump appeared together with the heads of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and several digital asset companies to advocate for the passage of the CLARITY Act. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and CFTC Chairman Michael Selig—both appointed by Trump—made it clear that their agencies would take on the task of regulating cryptocurrencies if Congress failed to pass market structure legislation.
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