CLARITY Act Bans US Officials From Token Launches Until 2029

Critics argue the restrictions could push out former officials who understand crypto policy and might otherwise contribute to the private sector. The counterargument, Lummis said, is that integrity matters more than convenience, and a 2029 sunset on the ban is not a life sentence.

The ethics language is hard to separate from the Trump context. Former President Donald Trump has active crypto-related ventures. The bill's provisions on past presidents read as if they were written with a specific person in mind, some lawmakers said. The rules are written broadly enough to apply to any future president in a similar position.

The bill still has to get through Congress. Deliberations are ongoing, no final vote has been scheduled, and the source did not specify a timeline for committee action. Amendments are possible, likely given the contentious nature of the ethics language. Key stakeholders have not made official public statements on the specific provisions, leaving room for guessing about the outcome.

If the CLARITY Act passes as written, the U.S. would have some of the toughest ethics rules around crypto globally. Other countries wrestling with similar questions about official conflicts of interest in digital assets would probably look at the American model as a reference point.

The industry is watching closely. Any revision to the ethics provisions–loosening the ban, narrowing who it covers, or shortening the restriction period–would signal how much political will actually exists to keep government hands off crypto markets. Lummis's continued advocacy keeps the bill moving. The 2029 deadline is the number everyone is focused on. The bill remains in committee with no floor vote scheduled.