Galaxy Digital warned US lawmakers that a new Senate crypto bill would give the Treasury more power to watch and freeze crypto transactions. Bitcoin stayed close to $42,000 after the news, which shows traders were not shaken even as talk of tighter rules picked up. The timing lines up with a broader push in Washington to keep closer tabs on crypto after years of light oversight.
What Is the Senate Crypto Bill Actually Changing?
The draft comes from the Senate Banking Committee and focuses on how crypto businesses operate in the US. Galaxy says it goes further than the crypto market structure bill already passed by the House, known as the CLARITY Act, and reaches into areas that affect everyday users.
One part of the bill creates a new “special measures” power. You can think of this like a financial traffic light. The Treasury could flag certain countries, platforms, or types of transactions as risky and then slow them down or block them.
MAJOR CRYPTO WARNING
Listen, I want regulations for this space, without them crypto doesn't reach it's full potential.
However the most recent draft of the CLARITY Act MUST BE boycotted. It's essentially a backdoor for banks to become the puppeteer of cryptos future.…
— Nick | Crypto Crusader (@NCashOfficial) January 14, 2026
Another part adds a rule that allows short freezes on transactions. Treasury agencies could ask stablecoin companies or crypto platforms to pause transfers for up to 30 days, even before a court steps in. Galaxy compared this to powers created under the Patriot Act, according a report by Yahoo Finance.
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Treasury Surveillance Powers Move Closer to Crypto
This is where regular users should pay attention. The bill would pull many crypto websites and apps into the same rules banks follow to track money and report suspicious activity.
These sites and apps would need to check wallets and block activity tied to sanctions. That would change how some people experience crypto, especially those who use open trading platforms that feel more like cash apps than bank accounts.
Galaxy says this could be the biggest expansion of financial monitoring since the Patriot Act. That law, passed after 9/11, gave authorities wide tracking powers and has been criticized for years by civil rights groups, including the ACLU.
Who Gains and Who Loses From This Shift?
Regulators gain speed and reach. They can act quickly when they suspect crime, which helps police follow money trails.
Regular users give up some privacy. You could still hold your own crypto, but using popular apps might start to feel closer to using online banking. That tension is already showing up in other discussions, such as Coinbase speaking out about the bill.
Teams building open crypto tools also face pressure. If they keep control over their systems, regulators may treat them like financial companies, which brings higher costs and legal risk.
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Why This Does Not Mean Crypto Is “Banned”
Some parts of the bill have support from the industry. The Crypto Council for Innovation said lawmakers are taking crypto more seriously and trying to build clear rules that large investors can work with.
The Senate also delayed a final vote to gather more support, which leaves room for changes. Public pressure has influenced crypto laws before, including efforts to protect the right to hold your own coins.
For now, expect more debate and heavy lobbying from both sides. If you use crypto, this is a good time to stay informed and watch how the rules develop, since they will shape how simple and flexible using digital money feels in the future.
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The post Galaxy Digital Slams US Senate Crypto Bill appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
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