Yeliz Akmaca 
The U.S. government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, has reached the country’s second-longest duration in history. If the shutdown continues through next Wednesday, it will break the 35-day record. This political deadlock is making it difficult for Congress to advance cryptocurrency legislation. Market structure laws and crypto regulations were already pending before the shutdown began.
Due to the shutdown, Congress has missed several critical deadlines. The most notable was the price increase hearing scheduled for October 20 related to the market structure bill. These delays have pushed crypto legislation further down the priority list.
Legislative Time and Competing Priorities
Ron Hammond, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Wintermute, notes that Congress will face conflicting priorities toward the end of the year. Mandatory military spending, such as the National Defense Authorization Act, will take precedence. Other bills may fall behind due to limited time and the ongoing shutdown.
There is still hope for crypto legislation. The Senate Agriculture Committee’s draft market structure bill remains a key development to follow. The draft could provide an indication of the overall legislative package’s progress and may move to a review session around Thanksgiving for a possible vote.
Political Developments and Crypto Implications
During the shutdown, Democrats may drop demands to lower health insurance premiums. This change is linked to the Trump administration resuming the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Two federal judges recently ordered that SNAP benefits continue, which could shift the political balance.
Meanwhile, legal cases such as Sam Bankman-Fried’s appeal hearing and the Samourai Wallet developers’ charges directly affect the cryptocurrency regulatory framework. Because of these cases and the ongoing shutdown, Congress is delayed in addressing crypto bills.
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The U.S. government shutdown began on October 1, 2025.
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Currently, it is the second-longest shutdown; a 35-day record may be reached.
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Congress has missed critical crypto legislation deadlines.
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The Senate Agriculture Committee draft could progress around Thanksgiving.
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Democrats may compromise on SNAP benefits and health insurance premiums.
Each day of the shutdown reduces the time Congress has to address legislation. Crypto bills must compete with other priorities for limited session time. Developments in Washington suggest that the likelihood of completing crypto regulations this year has decreased.
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