Hoskinson Says Clarity Act Could Pass by September 15, Backs Paul Atkins as SEC Chair
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson said the Clarity Act could clear Congress by September 15, 2026, describing the legislation as close to crossing the finish line after months of revisions and industry lobbying. In an interview with David Gokhshtein, Hoskinson also offered strong praise for SEC Chair Paul Atkins, calling him “the right man for the job” and arguing that Atkins sees digital assets as strategically important to the United States.
Hoskinson’s Push for the Clarity Act
Hoskinson said the bill has undergone “significant changes” and that he has personally been involved in efforts to improve it. “Crypto money is coming in, and that keeps things like the Clarity Act alive,” he said. “I’ve had many conversations to try to get it into a better shape.”
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He now points to a potential September 15 deadline, adding, “Hopefully September 15th, we’ll actually be able to get it over the line.” The remarks reflect a notably more optimistic tone than his earlier warnings that the industry faced a hostile regulatory environment.
Paul Atkins: A Different Kind of SEC Chair
Hoskinson said he has known Atkins for some time and previously interacted with him at Cardano events. He argued that Atkins does not approach crypto from an anti-industry perspective, describing digital assets as “vital for the nation’s growth” and capable of helping “globalise American power.”
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Atkins, who took over the SEC in 2025, has signaled a more market-friendly approach compared to his predecessor. His tenure has been marked by a series of enforcement actions being dropped or settled, and a push for clearer rulemaking on digital assets.
Jackson Hole: ‘The Bilderberg Group of Crypto’
Hoskinson also highlighted the atmosphere at Jackson Hole, which he described as “the Bilderberg Group of Crypto.” He noted meetings involving Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, Binance co-founder CZ, Senator Cynthia Lummis, and Senator Tim Scott, with discussions focused on the Clarity Act and the future of financial markets.
“We got our pep back on our step,” Hoskinson said. “The bull market’s coming, and we all feel it, we all taste it.”
His comments echo earlier remarks at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, where he said the bear market is temporary and that another bull cycle will follow. However, he has also warned that the next cycle needs a stronger value proposition than speculation alone.
What a September Passage Could Mean for ADA
If the Clarity Act passes, Hoskinson expects regulatory certainty to boost institutional confidence and provide a broader foundation for the next crypto cycle. That bullish outlook, however, comes as ADA trades around $0.20 — well below earlier 2026 levels and roughly 92% off its all-time high.
Cardano has slipped to about No. 18 by market capitalization, with a market value near $7.5 billion. Its DeFi total value locked (TVL) has also fallen about 92% from its 2024 peak, sitting at $58.01 million as per DefiLlama.
For the broader market, a September Clarity Act passage could become an important regulatory catalyst. Whether that translates into a sustained bull market will ultimately depend on capital flows, adoption, and the strength of crypto’s underlying use cases — not just the passage of a single bill.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency markets are volatile and uncertain; readers should conduct their own research before making any investment decisions.
