White House agrees to new ethics language in crypto bill

The White House has approved a new ethics provision to be added to the Clarity Act as the Senate prepares for an important vote on the cryptocurrency regulation bill on Tuesday. The change was introduced into the measure in the closing stretch before lawmakers take up the legislation.

The new paragraph specifically prohibits public officials from issuing or sponsoring digital assets. By defining such activity as off-limits for officeholders, the amendment aims to address ethical concerns about officials' involvement in the creation or promotion of cryptocurrencies and similar tokens.

The text also envisages enforcement mechanisms beyond congressional discipline: it states that violations could be pursued by state attorneys general and the Department of Justice. That framing gives both state and federal authorities potential avenues to seek remedies if the prohibition is breached.

With the Senate vote imminent, the addition of this ethics language may influence both the bill's prospects and how future conduct by public officials around digital assets would be regulated and enforced under the Clarity Act.