Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Introduced
Summary
Federal safe harbor from money transmission rules for certain non-controlling blockchain developers and providers. This bill would clarify that defined non-controlling developers or providers of distributed ledger services would not be treated as money transmitters under federal law for specific listed activities, and would limit substantially similar federal registration requirements for those activities.
Show full summary
- Non-controlling developers and providers would be shielded from federal classification as money transmitters and from related federal registration obligations for activities like creating or publishing distributed ledger software, maintaining ledgers, or providing ledger-related services.
- Firms that provide hardware or software enabling a customer’s own custody of digital assets, or that offer infrastructure support for a distributed ledger, would not trigger federal registration solely for those services.
- The bill would not affect treatment of conduct outside the safe harbor. Other federal financial classifications and enforcement, including anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism rules, and state laws consistent with the section, would remain applicable.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New safe harbor for blockchain developers
If enacted, this bill would create a federal safe harbor for certain non‑controlling developers and providers of distributed ledger services. Those entities would not be treated as money transmitters under federal law, including 31 U.S.C. § 5330 and 18 U.S.C. § 1960. They would not need to register under rules substantially similar to pre‑enactment money‑transmitter registration solely for listed activities. Examples of covered activities are making or publishing ledger software, helping customers custody their own digital assets, and running ledger infrastructure. Non‑controlling means they cannot move or control users' digital assets without approval from another third party. The bill would not change anti‑money‑laundering rules or whether an entity is a financial institution. It would not alter intellectual property law or stop States from enforcing consistent State law.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
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.
View on Congress.gov