TLDR
- Trump reportedly agreed to ethics language tied to the CLARITY Act.
- The ethics package was sent to certain Senate Republicans.
- The provision targets crypto profits by federal officials while in office.
- Final bill text is expected in the coming days.
- The Senate faces an early August deadline to vote on the crypto bill.
President Donald Trump has reportedly agreed to an ethics package tied to the CLARITY Act, easing one of the final barriers facing the crypto market structure bill.
Trump Ethics Talks Shift After Days of Uncertainty
Negotiations around the CLARITY Act entered a key stage after Trump met with Sens. Cynthia Lummis and Bernie Moreno, along with White House crypto adviser Patrick Witt. The meeting focused on ethics language that could limit how federal officials profit from digital assets while in office.
The talks had appeared stalled after an industry source claimed there was “no agreement on what, if any, provisions Trump can get behind.” Another source also described rumors that officials “couldn’t get him to agree to anything” during the Oval Office meeting.
The situation later shifted after reports indicated that the White House had agreed to an ethics package. The language was reportedly sent to certain Senate Republicans, although the exact details of the agreement remain unclear.
The ethics provision has become central because Trump and his family have crypto-related interests, including memecoins and World Liberty Financial. Financial disclosures released last month showed large sums tied to WLF, adding pressure for stronger safeguards.
CLARITY Act Faces Tight Senate Timeline
The CLARITY Act would create the first broad federal market structure framework for the crypto industry. The bill would define regulatory roles for the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Negotiators from both parties have spent months discussing whether the bill should restrict presidents, vice presidents, members of Congress, and other federal officials from profiting from digital assets while serving in office.
Democratic support remains uncertain until lawmakers see the final bill text. Sen. Ruben Gallego previously warned that Democrats would not back the measure without strong ethics language, saying,
“You’re not going to have the Democratic votes.”
Bill text is expected in the coming days if the ethics package holds. The Senate must act before the first week of August, when the legislative calendar could delay further work on the crypto bill.
If the Senate passes the revised bill, the measure would return to the House before heading to Trump’s desk. That process leaves little time for lawmakers to resolve remaining disputes and secure enough votes.
Patrick Witt Stays as Crypto Bill Nears Finish Line
Patrick Witt also confirmed that his Georgia Army National Guard training had been deferred, allowing him to continue working on the CLARITY Act. His role remains important because he has helped guide the White House’s crypto policy push.
Witt wrote that he had worked for the past year to help pass the bill and fulfill Trump’s goal of making the United States the “crypto capital of the world.” He thanked Trump and David Sacks for the chance to continue the effort.
For the past year, I have worked diligently to get the Clarity Act passed, fulfilling President Trump’s vision to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the world.
Last week, it was reported that I was set to leave for mandatory training as part of my service in the Georgia Army…
— Patrick Witt (@patrickjwitt) July 20, 2026
Trump also urged the Senate to pass the bill, linking crypto and artificial intelligence to global competition with China. He wrote, “Don’t let China win on either subject!!!”
Industry participants now expect the ethics package to decide whether the CLARITY Act can reach a Senate vote. Prediction market odds for the bill’s passage reportedly rose to 44% after reports of progress.
