Crypto lobbying cools after CLARITY Act’s 49-50 flop—but the $4 million floor holds

Crypto lobbying by Coinbase and major industry groups fell in Q3 2026, but total spending remained above $4 million for a sixth consecutive quarter, according to Bloomberg Government data.

The pullback followed the Senate’s 49-50 rejection of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, widely known as the CLARITY Act, on September 15, 2026. The bill needed 60 votes to advance.

Coinbase spent roughly $2.2 million in the first half of 2026, making it one of the top securities and investment lobbyists in Washington. Kraken spent close to $1 million over the same period.

With Congress stalled, the crypto industry is pivoting toward the SEC and CFTC, which have made nine separate moves to write crypto rules.