Key Takeaways
- The Senate passed a resolution with a 60-40 vote to reopen the government.
- Altcoin ETF approvals and major bills, such as the CLARITY Act, are now delayed.
- Agencies such as the SEC and CFTC are operating with skeleton crews, which slows oversight and enforcement.
After 40 days of political gridlock, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history is finally over.
What began as a budget standoff over health care subsidies and spending caps ballooned into a nationwide freeze that paralyzed federal agencies — including the very regulators steering America’s crypto future.
For the digital asset industry, the reopening comes as a relief, but also a reckoning.
The shutdown didn’t just stall paychecks and public services; it paused one of crypto’s most pivotal years yet, halting progress on ETF approvals, stablecoin regulations, and key legislation like the GENIUS Act.
Now, as the lights flicker back on in Washington, the question is whether the U.S. can regain its footing — or if the weeks lost have already set back its race to define the future of crypto regulation.
U.S. Government Shutdown To End?
According to Politico, the U.S. Senate has reached a bipartisan breakthrough to end the 40-day government shutdown — the longest in its history.
After weeks of stalled negotiations, the Senate finally passed a resolution late Sunday with a 60–40 vote, marking the first real step toward reopening the government after 14 failed attempts.
The breakthrough came after eight Democrats crossed party lines to back a measure funding dozens of federal agencies through the remainder of the fiscal year, and others through Jan. 30, 2026.
The final Senate approval is expected early this week, likely Monday or Tuesday, before the measure moves to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to fast-track it.
Once approved, it will go to President Trump’s desk, and he has already signaled plans to sign it immediately.
A Regulatory Blackout
Both the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) were running on fumes, with fewer than 6% of their staff working through the shutdown.
Approvals, enforcement actions, and rulemaking have all been shelved.
For crypto, that meant no new clarity, no new approvals — and no guardrails.
However, with the shutdown coming to an end, it’s possible that these bills will be back.
Bills on Ice: What’s Stuck in Limbo
The CLARITY Act
Passed by the House in July 2025 with strong bipartisan support, the CLARITY Act was meant to split oversight between the SEC and CFTC.
The Senate was on track to finalize it before the end of the year.
Analysts now say a 2026 passage is more realistic, with prediction markets dropping the odds of a 2025 signing to just 25%.
Altcoin ETF Approvals
Sixteen spot altcoin ETFs — including Solana and XRP — were awaiting final SEC approval this month.
Those reviews ground to a halt during the shutdown, leaving the applications in limbo.
Now that the government is preparing to reopen, the SEC is expected to resume consideration of the filings in the coming days.
Analysts say the approvals could come as soon as late November if the agency moves quickly to clear its backlog — though some warn that procedural delays could still push decisions into early 2026.
CFTC Spot Crypto Rules
The CFTC’s long-awaited framework for spot crypto trading and tokenized collateral — first announced in August — was effectively frozen during the shutdown.
Now that the government is reopening, the agency is moving quickly to get back on track.
Acting Chair Caroline Pham confirmed that regulated spot and leveraged crypto trading will officially begin next month on approved exchanges, including Nasdaq and Cboe.
Project Crypto and the SEC’s Silence
Before the shutdown, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins had unveiled “Project Crypto” — a modernization plan for securities laws that would have finally integrated crypto into mainstream finance.
That effort stalled during the 40-day shutdown, but with the government reopening, the SEC could resume work on the project.
Reforms tied to Project Crypto — including 401(k) crypto access, leveraged ETF reviews, and innovation exemptions — are also expected to move back onto the agenda.
Prashant Jha is a seasoned crypto journalist based in Delhi, India, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science Engineering. Passionate about the evolving world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, he has been a dedicated voice in the industry since 2018. Prashant’s expertise lies in regulatory reporting, where he unravels complex legal and financial developments with clarity and precision. Before joining CCN in 2024, he honed his craft at Cointelegraph, establishing himself as a trusted name in crypto journalism.
His coverage spans major industry events, including the high-profile collapses of FTX, Three Arrows Capital (3AC), and LUNA, offering readers insightful analyses of their regulatory and market implications. Prashant’s technical background enables him to bridge the gap between intricate blockchain technology and its real-world applications, making his work accessible to novices and experts.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Prashant is an avid music enthusiast, often exploring diverse genres to unwind. A sports lover, he has a particular passion for cricket and frequently engages in discussions about the game. His multifaceted interests and sharp journalistic instincts make him a valuable contributor to CCN, where he continues shaping the crypto landscape's narrative.
