160 former security officials back Clarity Act in Senate…

The Blockchain Association delivered a letter signed by 160 former national security and law enforcement officials to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Democratic Leader Charles Schumer on Tuesday, urging a full Senate vote on the Clarity Act. The letter frames digital asset market structure as a law enforcement and national security priority — not a deregulatory project.

Why it matters

The Clarity Act passed the Senate Banking Committee last month and is now waiting for a floor vote. The coalition of signatories is notable: 160 former officials lending their names to crypto legislation reframes the political argument away from industry lobbying and toward national security consensus. The letter specifically highlights expanded Bank Secrecy Act and sanctions obligations, Treasury-led information sharing between law enforcement and the private sector, and a permanent interagency working group on illicit crypto finance. "Clear rules bring activity under U.S. oversight, strengthen consumer protection, and help investigators catch bad actors," the association said.

Market impact

The main friction slowing the bill is a political debate over ethics provisions that would bar elected officials — including President Trump, given his crypto business interests — from participating in crypto ventures. The Blockchain Association is escalating pressure with a Washington fly-in covering 18 Senate offices and a virtual town hall Thursday featuring Senator Cynthia Lummis, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and White House Digital Assets Executive Director Patrick Witt. A Senate floor vote on the Clarity Act would be a landmark moment for U.S. crypto market structure regulation.