The White House has intensified efforts to advance U.S. digital asset regulation by convening two high-level meetings in early February 2026, bringing together crypto industry leaders, major banking associations, and congressional policymakers. The closed-door sessions, held on February 2 and February 10, focus on resolving disagreements over the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act and establishing clear rules for stablecoins.
Industry and Lawmakers Express Optimism
Blockchain Association CEO Summer Mersinger issued a statement after the February 10 meeting, saying: “Today’s second White House meeting reflects continued, meaningful momentum toward delivering bipartisan digital asset market structure legislation, and we’re encouraged by the progress being made as stakeholders remain constructively engaged on resolving outstanding issues.” She thanked Patrick Witt of the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets and the Administration for their leadership.
Ripple’s chief legal officer, Stuart Alderoty, also weighed in: “Productive session at the White House today – compromise is in the air. Clear, bipartisan momentum remains behind sensible crypto market structure legislation. We should move now – while the window is still open – and deliver a real win for consumers and America.”
Banking Giants Join Stablecoin Discussions
Journalist Eleanor Terrett reported details from the meetings, citing banking and crypto sources. The morning session included crypto representatives, Senate Banking Committee staffers, and members of the White House Crypto Council. A smaller afternoon session on stablecoin yield negotiations featured Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi, PNC Bank, and U.S. Bank, along with trade groups and crypto policy leaders. Banks reportedly presented written prohibition principles on stablecoin rewards, including limited flexibility for exemptions. Talks centered on defining permissible activities, with crypto firms seeking broader definitions and banks favoring narrower limits. The White House urged both sides to reach an agreement by March 1.
CLARITY Act Stalled in Senate
The Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act, introduced in May 2025, aims to create a federal regulatory framework by dividing oversight between the SEC and CFTC. The bill stalled in the Senate after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong withdrew support in January 2026, calling the Senate version “materially worse than the status quo.” The Senate Banking Committee subsequently postponed the markup. House Financial Services Committee Digital Assets Subcommittee Chairman Bryan Steil tweeted on February 10: “The CLARITY Act will secure U.S. leadership in digital assets. Let’s get it done.”
Outlook for Crypto Regulation
The consecutive White House meetings signal renewed bipartisan momentum to break the regulatory deadlock. A clear market structure and stablecoin framework could reduce regulatory risk, encourage institutional adoption, and reshape competitive dynamics between traditional banks and crypto firms. The March 1 deadline set by the White House will be a key test of whether stakeholders can translate progress into legislation. Many in the industry expect substantive progress in the first half of 2026.