A new national poll has revealed that a majority of Americans believe they would feel more protected as consumers if Congress passes the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, commonly known as the CLARITY Act.
As digital assets become more mainstream, many Americans are seeking clearer rules to boost confidence in the industry while safeguarding investors.
According to a recent survey conducted by Focaldata and commissioned by Coinbase, 55% of respondents said they would feel more protected as cryptocurrency users or potential users if the legislation becomes law.
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Republicans expressed the strongest agreement with this view. The poll, fielded online between July 14 and 20, 2026, surveyed 2,064 adults aged 18 and older and was weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population.
It comes as lawmakers continue efforts to establish a clearer federal regulatory framework for digital assets after years of uncertainty that has left much of the industry operating under overlapping agency oversight or shifting enforcement approaches.
Beyond the headline, the survey highlights broader dissatisfaction with the traditional financial system. Fully 82% of Americans said the financial system needs to change, with even higher numbers among younger generations 87% of Gen Z and 90% of Millennials.
More than half of all respondents (53%) called for major changes or a complete overhaul. Support for the CLARITY Act also carries potential electoral weight.
Also, more than one in three Americans 36%, said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who backs the bill, compared with just 14% who would be less likely, for a net positive margin of 22 points.
The CLARITY Act aims to create clearer lines of responsibility between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for digital assets, establish customer protection standards for intermediaries, strengthen anti-fraud and anti-money-laundering requirements, and provide greater certainty for innovators and investors.
Proponents argue that regulatory clarity would help bring more activity onshore, protect everyday users, and position the United States as a leader in digital finance rather than ceding ground to overseas platforms.
Notably, they Supporters argue that it will would end years of regulatory uncertainty that has driven some innovation and capital offshore. Backers also note that the bill includes tools to combat illicit finance and consumer protections.
On the other hand, critics and some Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about investor safeguards, the balance of power between regulators, and the strength of ethics restrictions. Law enforcement groups have at times objected to developer protection language, though positions have shifted in some cases.
As of early August 2026, the legislation remains under consideration in the Senate after earlier bipartisan committee progress and a strong House vote the previous year.
The U.S. Senate is racing against the clock as it has only a few days left before its summer recess to advance the CLARITY Act. A recent alert highlighted the urgency, noting the chamber has roughly three days remaining before lawmakers leave Washington.
If the Senate fails to act before recess, regulators at the SEC and CFTC are expected to continue advancing rules under existing authorities. Market observers have warned that prolonged uncertainty could weigh on crypto asset prices in the near term, though longer-term outcomes would depend on how agencies proceed.
Outlook
The coming days are expected to be pivotal for the future of U.S. digital asset regulation. If the Senate advances the CLARITY Act before the summer recess, it would mark the most significant step yet toward establishing a comprehensive federal framework for the crypto industry, potentially boosting investor confidence and providing long-sought regulatory certainty for businesses.
However, if lawmakers fail to act, the industry is likely to remain governed by the SEC and CFTC’s existing enforcement and rulemaking powers, prolonging uncertainty for market participants.