Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Shifts to Back CLARITY Act
The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 aims to establish a U.S. regulatory framework for digital-asset markets and clarify the boundaries between securities and commodities oversight. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong previously opposed the bill over concerns about its yield provisions, contributing to a standoff between the crypto and banking industries and stalling Senate deliberations.
Armstrong has now voiced support for the CLARITY Act and urged the U.S. Congress to seize the opportunity to pass it. The revised language distinguishes “passive yield” from “activity-based rewards” generated through trading, staking and similar activities, seeking to balance banks’ deposit interests with crypto platforms’ rewards businesses. The crypto industry is pushing the U.S. Senate Banking Committee to complete its markup of the bill on Thursday.
All Coverage
3 original reportsThe Backstory
The history behind this eventCoinbase Executives Deny Lobbying Against Bitcoin De Minimis Tax Exemption
In the United States, every Bitcoin payment may be treated as a disposal of an asset. Even for small purchases, users must calculate their cost basis and capital gains. Coinbase says a de minimis tax exemption would ease tax-reporting burdens and lower regulatory barriers to using Bitcoin for everyday payments.
CEO Brian Armstrong and several other executives recently publicly denied social media allegations that Coinbase had lobbied against Bitcoin tax relief to promote stablecoins. They said the company had never taken such action and had instead continued to support legislation. Existing reports did not disclose a specific exemption amount, the dates of the statements or a legislative timetable.
Subscribe to Mark Radar Weekly
Every Friday, the week's strongest signals in your inbox. Unsubscribe anytime.