US Crypto Regulations Must Withstand Next Election Cycle

The United States still lacks a unified legislative framework for regulating digital assets, and an opinion piece by former New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo argues the policy uncertainty is weighing on builders, investors, and everyday consumers. Cuomo points to the proposed CLARITY Act—passed by the House in 2025 but not sent to the president—as an effort to clarify how agencies such as the SEC and CFTC would oversee the market.

With Congress failing to move the bill forward, Cuomo says federal agencies have instead advanced new rules using existing authority. He characterizes this approach as potentially helpful in the short run, but ultimately vulnerable because it does not carry the durability of a law enacted through Congress.

Key takeaways

• The CLARITY Act, aimed at creating a national regulatory framework for digital assets, passed the House in 2025 but has not advanced to the president.
• Cuomo argues agency-driven rulemaking is less durable than congressional legislation because it can be reversed or politically constrained.
• He warns that the next congressional shift could significantly affect how crypto regulations are implemented or challenged.
• Cuomo urges bipartisan digital-asset legislation to reduce ambiguity and let companies invest with greater regulatory certainty.
• He cites regulatory frameworks abroad—such as Europe’s MiCA and Singapore’s Payment Services Act—as examples of jurisdictions moving toward clearer rules.