Delay crypto laws now, pay later: The high stakes for the U.S.

Byte-Sized Insight by Cointelegraph

The clock is ticking on meaningful crypto regulation in the US, and the consequences of continued inaction could be dire. In this episode of Decentralize with Cointelegraph, reporter Vince Quill sits down with Marta Belcher, president of the Blockchain Association and the Filecoin Foundation, to explore the urgent need for legislative clarity before the 2026 midterm elections.

Together, they dissect what’s holding Congress back, the long shadow of the Trump administration on the crypto industry and whether the US can still reclaim its leadership in Web3. From bipartisan momentum to market structure must-haves, Belcher offers her insights into the state of crypto in Washington, along with what both lawmakers and industry leaders need to do next.

(01:09) Why passing US crypto legislation before 2026 is critical
(03:08) What’s stalling crypto laws in Congress?
(05:22) Trump’s lingering influence on the crypto landscape
(06:36) Top concerns from within the crypto industry
(08:28) Has the US already lost too many crypto companies?
(09:41) Should the US take cues from other countries on crypto regulation?
(11:04) Is crypto truly a bipartisan issue in Washington?
(12:10) What must be included in a solid market structure bill?
(13:37) Is there any regulatory breathing room for crypto startups?
(18:38) Key legislation and proposals currently on the radar
(24:14) Advice for lawmakers and crypto leaders

This episode was hosted by Vince Quill, @VinceQuill and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

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