US Senators to Meet Trump’s Crypto Czar for Talks on Market Structure Bill

TLDR

• US senators continue talks with Trump’s crypto and AI adviser David Sacks on the market structure bill
• Discussions proceed during the longest government shutdown in US history
• Senator John Boozman and Senator Cory Booker lead bipartisan efforts in committee review
• Senator Cynthia Lummis says staffers work daily to secure votes for the bill’s passage
• Patrick Witt confirms shutdown causes technical delays but allows more engagement time

US senators plan new talks on the market structure bill with President Donald Trump’s crypto and AI adviser David Sacks. The discussions continue during the longest government shutdown in US history as lawmakers seek to finalize the bill’s draft.

Senate Committees Continue Work on Market Structure Bill

Senator John Boozman from the Senate Agriculture Committee will reportedly meet with Sacks and Senator Cory Booker. The committee must review the market structure bill before the Senate considers it. Discussions are expected to shape the final version before any formal introduction.

The House passed the market structure bill in July after months of debate. Lawmakers expected bipartisan support in the Senate, but disagreements over DeFi provisions slowed progress. Democrats have requested more oversight language for decentralized finance protocols.

The ongoing shutdown has also delayed committee operations and communications. Several agencies, including the SEC and CFTC, are working with reduced staff. Lawmakers remain uncertain about prioritizing the market structure bill before a funding agreement.

Shutdown Creates Delays but Opens Discussion Opportunities

The government shutdown has lasted 36 days, halting much of Washington’s usual activity. However, some senators say the pause allows extra time for policy talks.

Lummis, a key sponsor of the market structure bill, said discussions are bipartisan and progressing steadily. She emphasized that staffers are refining technical sections to ensure broader support. The goal remains to advance the draft through committee votes soon.

Trump’s digital assets council director Patrick Witt confirmed the shutdown created logistical issues. He said many experts from financial agencies were furloughed. “It has presented some complications,” Witt said at Ripple’s Swell conference in New York.

However, Witt added that reduced schedules have opened space for direct communication with senators. Lawmakers have used the downtime to consult with industry and administration officials. These sessions focused heavily on the market structure bill’s definitions and enforcement framework.

Lawmakers Set Tight Timeline Before Election Season

Republican Senator Thom Tillis said Congress has limited time before midterm politics dominate next year. He stated the goal is early passage by February.

Supporters of the market structure bill want approval before the campaign season. They believe early momentum will help sustain bipartisan backing. Yet, the shutdown continues to consume most legislative attention.

Senator Lummis initially aimed to have the market structure bill signed by year-end. That timeline now appears unrealistic given stalled operations. She remains confident, though, that continued staff coordination will keep the process moving.

Senator Chris Murphy said Democrats plan to maintain pressure during funding negotiations. They want healthcare subsidies extended and recent budget cuts reversed. That stance could slow unrelated measures, including the market structure bill.

Lawmakers say discussions are ongoing at detailed levels within committees. They expect more meetings with the White House team in coming days. As Witt confirmed, coordination between senators and administration officials remains steady despite the shutdown.

The market structure bill continues to be viewed as a core crypto policy effort this session. Negotiations are focused on trading rules and agency oversight for digital assets. Officials close to the process expect another draft to be circulated soon.

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