Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan says US crypto regulation may keep moving even if the CLARITY Act does not clear its Friday deadline. His view is that the Securities and Exchange Commission is prepared to step in with rulemaking, rather than leaving the market in limbo.
According to the report, the odds of the CLARITY Act advancing have fallen to 27%. Even with those lower expectations, Hougan argues that the broader push to create a clearer framework for digital assets is not entirely dependent on Congress acting on time.
His position suggests the SEC is "ready, willing and able" to fill part of the gap if lawmakers fail to deliver. In practical terms, that means the agency could use its own regulatory tools to shape crypto oversight while debate over legislation continues.
The takeaway for investors and the industry is that the path to clearer rules may change, but not necessarily stop. Whether through Congress or SEC action, Hougan's message is that crypto policy can continue to develop even if the CLARITY Act misses the immediate deadline.
