Crypto market rules advance as Brian Armstrong flags 2025 deadline

The debate on crypto market rules in Washington is accelerating, as Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong signals an ambitious timeline for comprehensive regulation.

Are US crypto market rules finally nearing clarity?

The digital asset sector remains gripped by volatility and what some traders call “extreme fear.” However, Brian Armstrong argues that Washington is closer than ever to delivering clear reforms, with a target for new measures by December 2025. He described growing momentum in Congress, especially around a detailed market-structure framework for cryptocurrencies.

In a new video posted on X, the Coinbase chief executive said he is back in the halls of Congress, lobbying for a comprehensive market structure bill. According to Armstrong, lawmakers and staff are now focused on turning draft language into a finished package that can move through both chambers. This push comes as industry pressure mounts for predictable oversight and stable rules.

What did the Coinbase CEO update from Capitol Hill?

Armstrong explained that he is “in the hall” working directly on the crypto market structure legislation bill. Moreover, he confirmed that draft text has already been circulated by the Senate Ag Committee, a key panel overseeing commodities and derivatives policy. The committee, he said, is now refining that language in coordination with other lawmakers.

He added that Senate Banking members are also “working nights and weekends” on their own version of the draft. That said, Armstrong believes there is now a realistic path to a committee markup in December, which would mark a crucial procedural step toward a floor vote. He also voiced optimism that the bill could reach the President’s desk soon after, if consensus holds.

Armstrong’s remarks echo earlier legislative efforts such as the 2022 Lummis–Gillibrand proposal and more recent drafts tracked by research groups and policy analysts.

How could the market-structure bill reshape US crypto oversight?

In his video, Armstrong stressed that the emerging framework would be a “big milestone” for the United States. Clearer crypto reform legislation, he argued, would unlock growth by giving exchanges, token issuers, and institutional investors stable guidance on who regulates what. However, he also warned that delays could push innovation offshore to more agile jurisdictions.

According to Armstrong, the legislation aims to define supervision for different types of digital assets, clarify commodity versus security treatment, and codify rules for trading platforms. Moreover, he suggested that a finished bill could bring regulatory certainty not only to Coinbase but to every firm operating in the sector. This, he said, is essential if the US wants to remain competitive in fintech and blockchain innovation.

Armstrong’s comments signal that those debates are moving from theory toward concrete statutory language.

What is Coinbase planning for its December product event?

While lobbying for rules in Washington, Armstrong emphasized that Coinbase continues to build. He said the company is “working hard on the product” in parallel with the legislative push, preparing a showcase of new features for a dedicated event on December 17th. That event will be accessible via livestream, highlighting what Coinbase has developed in the second half of this year.

Armstrong described the upcoming Coinbase product launch as part of the firm’s ambition to remain the “top crypto company” globally. Furthermore, he framed the event as a preview of how Coinbase intends to operate under a clearer regulatory regime, assuming the new framework advances as planned. The combination of policy progress and product expansion could be a key narrative for investors and users alike.

Why is civic engagement central to the crypto regulatory timeline?

Despite renewed urgency on Capitol Hill, Armstrong stressed that industry participants and individual users still have a role to play. He urged supporters to contact your representatives and keep pushing for clear rules for crypto in the United States. In his view, sustained public engagement is critical to maintain momentum as the legislative calendar fills up.

He thanked community members for “continuing to show up” and for pressing lawmakers on the need for predictable oversight. Moreover, he pledged that Coinbase will “keep doing our part” in Washington, meeting with staff, providing technical input, and educating offices on how digital asset markets function. That collaboration, he argued, is vital if Congress is to finalize an effective framework by December 2025.

How does market sentiment contrast with the regulatory push?

The broader crypto market, according to Armstrong, remains in a phase of “extreme fear” as traders digest macroeconomic uncertainty and enforcement headlines. However, he maintained that structured regulation could help stabilize sentiment by reducing existential risk for major platforms. Over time, reliable oversight might encourage more institutional allocation and long-term capital.

That said, the path from draft text to enforceable crypto market rules still runs through complex negotiations, potential amendments, and partisan disagreements. Armstrong’s message from Washington is that, for the first time, those negotiations appear to be converging on a workable framework. If Congress can meet the stated deadlines, the United States could enter 2026 with a clearer, more durable regulatory regime for digital assets.

In summary, Armstrong’s latest update blends cautious optimism with a call to action. Senate committees are pushing ahead on market-structure language, Coinbase is preparing new products for December 17th, and advocates are being urged to stay engaged. Together, these forces could finally transform years of debate into a coherent set of crypto market rules for the US market.