Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong stated the change can’t assist the Senate Banking Committee’s newest draft of the CLARITY Act, warning that the invoice, as written, would depart the U.S. crypto trade worse off than the present regulatory established order.
In a put up on X, Armstrong cited a number of considerations, together with what he described as a de facto ban on tokenized equities, new restrictions on decentralized finance that would grant the federal government broad entry to customers’ monetary knowledge, and provisions that weaken the Commodity Futures Buying and selling Fee whereas increasing the Securities and Alternate Fee’s authority.
“After reviewing the Senate Banking draft textual content over the past 48hrs, Coinbase sadly can’t assist the invoice as written,” Armstrong posted.
He additionally criticized draft amendments that may get rid of rewards on stablecoins, arguing they’d permit banks to suppress rising opponents.
“We’d somewhat don’t have any invoice than a nasty invoice,” Armstrong stated on X, including that Coinbase would proceed pushing for a framework that treats crypto on a degree enjoying subject with conventional monetary companies.
The feedback come a day earlier than the Senate Banking Committee is anticipated to mark up the CLARITY Act on Thursday, January 15.
The laws is making an attempt to make clear U.S. digital asset market construction by defining classes reminiscent of digital commodities, funding contracts, and fee stablecoins, whereas dividing oversight between the SEC and CFTC.
Coinbase’ points with stablecoin rewards
Stablecoin rewards have emerged as a flashpoint in negotiations. Coinbase had reportedly warned lawmakers it could withdraw assist for the invoice if it restricts yield packages tied to stablecoins like USD Coin.
Coinbase shares in curiosity revenue generated from USDC reserves and makes use of a part of that income to supply incentives to customers, together with rewards of roughly 3.5% for Coinbase One clients.
Stablecoin-related income might have reached $1.3 billion in 2025, making the problem central to Coinbase’s enterprise mannequin.
Banking teams argue that yield-bearing stablecoins might draw deposits away from conventional banks, whereas crypto corporations counter that banning rewards would stifle innovation and push customers towards offshore platforms.
“I’m truly fairly optimistic that we’ll get to the precise consequence with continued effort,” Armstrong later posted on X. “We’ll preserve displaying up and dealing with everybody to get there.”
Michael Saylor, govt chairman of Technique, retweeted Armstrong’s put up, displaying his personal assist with the choice.
