Blockchain Association urges Senate to pass Clarity Act with letter from 160 former security officials

The Blockchain Association sent a letter on Tuesday to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer expressing strong support for the Clarity Act.

The letter, signed by 160 former national security and law enforcement officials, urged the Senate to pass the legislation.

"The Clarity Act expands law enforcement and financial crime prevention capabilities across the digital asset ecosystem," the letter said.

The Clarity Act passed the Senate Banking Committee last month and currently awaits a vote in the full Senate. Lawmakers continue to debate whether the bill should include ethics provisions that would restrict elected officials from participating in crypto ventures, a debate fueled in part by President Donald Trump's crypto business interests.

The Blockchain Association's Tuesday letter "makes the case that digital asset market structure is a law enforcement and national security priority," the organization wrote in a post on X.

"Clear rules bring activity under U.S. oversight, strengthen consumer protection, and help investigators catch bad actors," said the association.

Specifically, the letter said the bill includes key anti-illicit finance and enforcement provisions, including expanded Bank Secrecy Act and sanctions obligations. The legislation would also establish Treasury-led information sharing among law enforcement agencies and private sector entities, as well as a permanent interagency working group focused on illicit finance involving crypto.

"These are not deregulatory measures," the letter added. "They are enhanced enforcement tools designed to improve visibility, coordination, compliance, and accountability across digital asset markets."

Meanwhile, the Blockchain Association plans to host a fly-in to Washington, D.C. for meetings across 18 Senate offices. It is also scheduled to organize a virtual town hall on Thursday to discuss how the bill supports law enforcement and national security.

The town hall is set to feature Senator Cynthia Lummis, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and White House Executive Director of President's Council of Advisors for Digital Assets Patrick Witt.