Senator Tillis Pushes CLARITY Act Toward Senate Markup

Senator Tillis signals readiness to push the CLARITY Act to markup, as stablecoin yield concerns ease and DeFi negotiations heat up.

Senator Thom Tillis says the CLARITY Act is now ready for the next step.

The North Carolina Republican confirmed he plans to ask for a committee markup once lawmakers return to Washington. His comments came after weeks of negotiations around stablecoin yield, DeFi protections, and bank concerns.

The latest update signals fresh momentum for one of the most-watched crypto bills in Congress. Industry participants and Senate staff now see the markup as much closer than before.

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Crypto Industry on the Brink of Regulatory Clarity in the U.S.

Stablecoin Yield Issue Moves Closer to Resolution

According to journalist Eleanor Terrett, Tillis said lawmakers have made strong progress on the bill. He told reporters on Capitol Hill that it was time to move the legislation before the committee.

Tillis said he would ask the chair to begin scheduling a markup when lawmakers return. He added that most concerns from banks over stablecoin yield have already been heard and addressed.

He also said stakeholders who still have concerns should continue working in good faith. This marked one of his clearest public signals yet on moving the bill forward.

On timing, Tillis said he hopes to release legislative text on stablecoin yield four to five days before markup. Stakeholders would first receive a preview before the formal process begins.

🚨NEW: Following @SenThomTillis comments and a sense of renewed optimism from industry and Senate Banking staff that a Clarity Act markup is within striking distance, efforts are now ramping up to tie up remaining loose ends.

With the yield issue largely resolved (per Tillis),… https://t.co/sOVYbsyR2d

— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) April 29, 2026

Focus Shifts to DeFi Rules and Section 1960

With the yield issue mostly settled, attention has shifted to DeFi and legal protections for developers. The focus now includes the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act and Section 1960 provisions.

Tillis raised fresh concerns this week about how law enforcement may apply the 1960 criminal statute. The issue centers on software developers and possible enforcement risks.

He pointed to Senator Cynthia Lummis and said he generally supports her current approach. Lummis has been leading discussions on safeguards for non-controlling developers.

Terrett later reported that Lummis said meaningful progress had already been made. She said lawmakers were working on protections linked to money transmitting laws.

Lummis added that she hopes to share more updates soon. Meanwhile, ethics language remains under active negotiation in the Senate.

Sources familiar with the process said those ethics provisions may be added later on the Senate floor. That would allow the core bill to move faster through committee review.

Senate Pressure Builds as CLARITY Act Timeline Tightens

As earlier reported by Live Bitcoin News, the CLARITY Act markup may shift into May. Tillis and Lummis had earlier shown different views on how quickly the bill should advance.

Related reading:

Clarity Act Eyes May Markup as Lummis and Tillis Split on Timing

Lummis supported a faster path, while Tillis favored more time for final negotiations. At the same time, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency began proposed rulemaking tied to the GENIUS Act.

Live Bitcoin News also reported that the North Carolina Blockchain and AI Initiative urged Tillis to move the bill forward. The group sent a formal letter pushing back against banker opposition to stablecoin yield.

It argued that delays could weaken North Carolina’s position in global digital finance. The letter directly challenged concerns raised by the North Carolina Bankers Association.

In another report, Live Bitcoin News, Senator Bernie Moreno also signaled support for a crypto bill markup by the end of May.

That update added fresh pressure around the legislative timeline. For now, Tillis’ latest comments suggest the Senate may finally be nearing committee action.