Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has a message for the Senate: pass the CLARITY Act, or watch someone else write the rules for the future of finance. He endorsed the final draft of the bill on Monday, September 14, framing it as nothing less than the difference between American leadership and American spectatorship in digital assets.

Bessent Says CLARITY Supports Community Banks

Bessent argued that the legislation is essential to ensuring America "wins the global race for new technology."

He said the final draft gives the Treasury Secretary new authority to impose measures if stablecoins drive substantial deposit outflows from community banks.

"Community banks are essential to U.S. economic performance and Main Street growth," Bessent added. "I will not hesitate to use these tools to ensure they remain fully protected."

In his own words on X, Bessent wrote: "I've said many times that the CLARITY Act is essential to ensuring America wins the global race for new technology. That's the reason Congress passed the GENIUS Act: to ensure that stablecoin infrastructure, a revolutionary financial technology, will be built in America."

Bessent has repeatedly urged senators to advance the CLARITY Act with bipartisan support. He has warned that inaction could send a "troubling signal" to allies and adversaries that the U.S. isn't ready to lead the future of cryptocurrencies and blockchains.

Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) quoted Bessent's post, stating, "Congress has an opportunity to ensure America leads the future of digital finance. Let's get this done."

In her own post, Britt added that the CLARITY Act "gives digital assets clear rules of the road, protects consumers, and keeps innovation and jobs in America."

How Long Before We Get CLARITY?

Here's the catch: the CLARITY Act still doesn't have bipartisan consensus, with Senate Democrats reportedly preparing a counterproposal to the GOP's final offer.

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) said Republicans conceded to every Democratic demand and "there's nothing left to give."

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), however, dismissed the final text as a "weak fig leaf" that does nothing to stop President Donald Trump's cryptocurrency profiteering.

The bill still needs 60 votes, meaning all voting Republicans plus at least seven Democrats. Polymarket currently places the CLARITY Act's passage odds at 19%.

Price Action: At the time of writing, BTC was trading at $76,837, down 1.10% in the last 24 hours, according to market data.