Crypto Lobbying Hits $13M as Clarity Act Stalls

The U.S. crypto industry spent more than $13 million on federal lobbying during the first half of 2026, including roughly $8 million tied to efforts to advance the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, according to an analysis of federal lobbying disclosures.

The spending was separate from more than $100 million in crypto campaign funds aimed at elections and the millions directed toward industry advocacy organizations. Instead, it funded registered lobbyists working directly with lawmakers and federal officials on digital asset regulation.

About $2.4 million of the Clarity Act lobbying went to outside firms, while approximately $2.1 million supported lobbyists employed by crypto trade associations. The remainder funded lobbying operations inside cryptocurrency companies.

Coinbase emerged as the sector’s biggest spender, directing about $2.2 million toward lobbying that included support for the Clarity Act. Kraken spent nearly $1 million, while Digital Currency Group, Jump Crypto and Paradigm were also among the major participants.

Coinbase ranked among the top 10 organizations for securities and investment lobbying, according to OpenSecrets, spending more than Goldman Sachs and Andreessen Horowitz.

Broader crypto lobbying also covered taxation, stablecoin regulation, anti-money-laundering requirements, digital asset mining and regulatory policy. The Crypto Council for Innovation reported $610,000 in lobbying across issues including GENIUS Act implementation and market structure. Meanwhile, the Blockchain Association said it held more than 380 meetings with congressional staff and federal officials.

Despite the industry’s extensive lobbying campaign, the Senate has not passed the Clarity Act. Critics have argued that disagreements among crypto companies weakened the sector’s ability to present a unified position during negotiations.

Still, industry representatives point to progress. The legislation advanced further than previous U.S. crypto market structure proposals and generated greater bipartisan engagement around digital asset oversight.

Lobbying efforts are now increasingly focused on the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission as both agencies pursue new crypto regulations. With the Clarity Act stalled, the industry is reassessing its strategy while continuing its push for clearer U.S. cryptocurrency rules.