When Will Crypto Clarity Actually Arrive? One Layer-1 Leader Says Don't Hold Your Breath Until 2029

Cardano's founder recently weighed in on the timeline for meaningful cryptocurrency regulation in the U.S., and his take is sobering: don't expect the CLARITY Act to become law anytime soon—we're likely looking at 2029 at the earliest, if not later.

The reasoning behind this timeline reveals deeper friction points in Washington. Regulatory frameworks for digital assets remain contentious, with lawmakers split across party lines and competing interests. The path from bill introduction to actual legislation involves multiple hurdles: committee reviews, lobbyist pressure from both crypto advocates and traditional finance, economic concerns about market stability, and broader political cycles.

This kind of waiting game isn't unusual for complex financial regulation—think how long it took to finalize some post-2008 banking rules. But for the crypto industry, where innovation moves at lightning speed and market participants need regulatory certainty, a multi-year delay compounds the challenge. Companies operating in the space must navigate a patchwork of state rules, SEC enforcement, and CFTC guidelines while awaiting federal clarity.

The stakes are high: clear, comprehensive U.S. crypto policy could unlock institutional adoption at scale and establish America as a Web3 hub. Until then, projects and traders remain in a holding pattern.