Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Cynthia Lummis
Introduced
Summary
Non-controlling developers and providers of distributed ledger services would not be treated as money transmitters under federal law. The bill draws a narrow safety rule so building, maintaining, or supporting distributed ledger software or customer custody tools would not alone trigger money-transmitter registration.
Show full summary
- Developers and small providers: Would not have to register as money transmitters solely for creating or publishing distributed ledger software, or for providing maintenance and infrastructure support.
- Custody tools and hardware vendors: Would not be treated as money transmitters just for supplying software or devices that let customers hold their own digital assets.
- Limits and exceptions: The protection would be narrow. Other federal or state laws could still apply based on conduct outside this rule, and it would not change intellectual property rules or create new private rights.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New rules for blockchain developers
This bill would say non-controlling developers or providers would not be treated as money transmitters under federal law. It would bar money-transmitter style registration when firms only write distributed-ledger software, provide custody tools, or maintain ledger infrastructure. The bill would define terms like "non-controlling developer," "digital asset," and "distributed ledger" to clarify who qualifies. It would also say the exclusions only cover the listed conduct and would not stop regulators or states from enforcing other laws. These rules would apply on or after enactment.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cynthia Lummis
WY • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 1/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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