White House Crypto Council Weighs Law Enforcement Concerns on Clarity Act

The White House convened a series of meetings in early June, bringing together law enforcement officials, administration staff, and congressional representatives to address concerns about the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act. The central worry: that provisions designed to protect blockchain developers might also give cover to criminals.

The meetings, held June 8-10, mark a shift in tone for an administration that has largely positioned itself as pro-crypto. The Clarity Act aims to resolve one of crypto's longest-running jurisdictional headaches. It would hand primary oversight of digital commodity spot markets to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, while the Securities and Exchange Commission retains limited authority.

Embedded within the broader legislation is the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, or BRCA, introduced in January 2026 by Senators Cynthia Lummis and Ron Wyden. The BRCA creates a safe harbor for developers who don't control user funds, exempting them from being classified as money transmitters. That distinction matters enormously. Money transmitter classification comes with a mountain of compliance obligations, including know-your-customer requirements and anti-money laundering protocols.

The Clarity Act cleared the Senate Banking Committee the prior month and appears headed for a full Senate vote. Several Democratic lawmakers have signaled they won't support the bill unless law enforcement concerns are adequately addressed.