Senator Cynthia Lummis, the most prominent supporter of cryptocurrencies in the United States Senate, announced on December 19 that she will not run for re-election in 2026.
This decision sets a definitive deadline for her legislative agenda, opening a two-year race to adopt regulations on digital assets before her departure from the Senate, expected in January 2027.
Lummis's impending retirement increases the pressure to codify crypto laws
Lummis indicated that the main reason for her decision was the "exhausting pace" of recent sessions. "I am a devoted legislator, but I feel like a sprinter engaged in a marathon," she wrote, admitting that she no longer has the necessary energy to face another six-year term.
Her impending exit immediately imparts urgency to the legislative calendar on crypto.
Lummis has played a leading role in presenting several key bills on crypto, including the crypto market structure bill and the United States Bitcoin Strategic Reserve (SBR). Her efforts have also opposed the “regulation by enforcement” approach adopted by the SEC under Gensler's leadership.
While acknowledging that the Trump administration rolled back several anti-crypto measures and promoted pro-crypto goals through executive actions, Senator Lummis positively welcomed these advancements.
However, she has always maintained that lasting progress requires legislative codification rather than simple measures through executive orders.
Therefore, her final term will focus on bridging the gap between temporary executive actions and permanent congressional laws, in order to protect the sector from future political shifts.
“I look forward to focusing all my energies on bringing important legislation to [Trump]’s desk in 2026 and maintaining sensible Republican control over the United States Senate,” Lummis stated.
Meanwhile, the announcement immediately drew praise from leading figures in the sector. Some argued that her departure could leave a crypto leadership void in Washington.
Collin McCune, head of government relations at a16z, emphasized her national impact and the role she played in advancing crypto legislation.
“Senator Lummis has fought every day, for many years, for Wyoming. But beyond that, her leadership has opened spaces for innovators and builders across the country. Crypto would not be where it is today without her battle in Congress,” he added.
Arjun Sethi, co-CEO of the cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, provided an in-depth retrospective on Lummis’s legacy, crediting her with making Wyoming the first jurisdiction to adopt a “technically informed” approach in the field of digital assets.
Sethi praised Lummis for supporting frameworks aligned with the “technical reality” rather than with past conventions. According to him, this approach has allowed for the creation of operational certainties in various markets, from Bitcoin to emerging “memetic assets”.
“Senator Lummis's commitment to Bitcoin and digital assets has been concrete, patient, and long-term. Never self-serving. Never reactive. Focused on competitiveness, resilience, and ensuring that the United States remains a place where open systems can be built and managed responsibly,” said Sethi.
