Crypto clarity is inching forward as the Senate reportedly reaches a deal on the Clarity Act, which would prevent stablecoin issuers from paying yield to holders, a move that sent Circle shares tumbling to their worst day ever. At the same time, the SEC has sent two regulatory proposals to the White House aimed at easing rules for both crypto and Wall Street. At the BlockWorks Digital Asset Summit 2026 in New York City, Ron Hammond, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Wintermute, joins to break down the evolving regulatory landscape, including SEC Chair Paul Atkins’ push for an innovation exemption to spur DeFi development. From tokenization trends and institutional adoption to prediction markets and the ongoing lobbying battle in D.C., we explore how policy, regulation, and innovation are shaping the next phase of crypto. Hammond also weighs in on how these developments impact both retail and institutional players, and why 2026 could be a pivotal year for digital assets as the U.S. works toward clearer rules and wider adoption.
