US Crypto Lobby Pushes for Protecting Developers in Upcoming Legislation

Leading U.S. crypto advocacy groups have united to push lawmakers for the inclusion of legal protections for software developers and infrastructure providers in a bill designed to regulate the digital asset space. 

In a joint statement on June 5, several major organizations—including the DeFi Education Fund, Coin Center, the Blockchain Association, and the Bitcoin Policy Institute—urged Congress to append the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA) to the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act of 2025.

The proposal comes amid a flurry of legislative activity aimed at establishing a clear regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance (DeFi). The BRCA, recently reintroduced by Representatives Tom Emmer and Ritchie Torres, seeks to exempt developers of non-custodial platforms—who do not handle user funds directly—from being classified as money transmitters.

Protecting Developers, Not Just Institutions

The coalition emphasized that creators of decentralized protocols and those maintaining blockchain infrastructure are fundamentally different from traditional financial intermediaries. 

“It is critically important to remember that developers creating peer-to-peer, non-custodial software and the infrastructure providers who enable decentralized networks have little in common with traditional financial institutions and should not be treated as such,” the joint statement further read.

Their concern lies in the potential for regulatory overreach. Without the BRCA, developers of non-custodial systems—such as decentralized exchanges or wallets—could face legal ambiguity and penalties akin to banks or custodians. 

Coin Center’s communications director Neeraj Agrawal noted that the organizations are also monitoring for “unconstitutional surveillance requirements” that could be attached to crypto legislation, raising further alarm for privacy advocates.

Shifting Government Tone on Crypto

The push for protective legislation follows a noticeable shift in how U.S. authorities are approaching crypto space. On June 3, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul Atkins also told the Senate that the era of “regulation by enforcement” is ending. 

Moving forward, the SEC intends to work with stakeholders in the crypto industry to build more transparent and inclusive policy frameworks.

Adding to the industry’s optimism is the upcoming Senate vote on Brian Quintenz—President Trump’s nominee to head the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Quintenz, a long-time crypto supporter with $3.4 million in disclosed assets including digital assets, is expected to usher in more industry-friendly oversight if appointed.

Together, these developments could signal a turning point in U.S. crypto regulation—one where innovation is not only tolerated but encouraged under a clearer and fairer legal framework.