Why the DeFi cryptocurrency industry sees the delay of the crypto regulation bill as a opportunity

Recently, an important bill aimed at building the U.S. cryptocurrency market structure framework has delayed its progress. Supported by DeFi and other cryptocurrency projects, this bill was canceled after major exchanges withdrew their support, leading to an unexpected industry response. Many DeFi community members and crypto industry leaders see this pause not as a defeat but as an opportunity to create a better regulatory framework.

Why DeFi Views the Delay Positively

Ether.fi co-founder Mike Shiragaze is optimistic about the bill’s postponement. According to him, speaking to CoinDesk, “I’m not too worried. In fact, I think it’s positive because the original bill’s content was very bad for cryptocurrencies.”

Shiragaze points out that the main concern was that the bill included restrictions on yields from stablecoin holdings and excessive regulation of DeFi protocols. He expects “a better version will eventually be proposed,” and believes that the current adjustment could be beneficial for the entire industry.

Industry Legal Experts Share the Same View

Bill Hughes, Senior Counsel and Global Regulatory Lead at Consensys, offers a similar analysis. Hughes states that the pause clearly indicates that both legislators and industry supporters are “more willing to walk away than accept overly restrictive provisions on decentralized technology.”

Importantly, Hughes notes that “those seeking more government oversight and regulation are, in the short term, more in need of this bill than DeFi.” In other words, this delay sends a strong message to regulators that “compromise may be necessary.”

Current State of the Cryptocurrency Market

As of January 29, 2026, the cryptocurrency market shows the following movements:

• Bitcoin (BTC): $88,270 (24h change: -1.09%)
• Ethereum (ETH): $2,960 (24h change: -1.87%)
• Solana (SOL): $123.28 (24h change: -2.99%)
• BNB: $900.30 (24h change: -0.19%)
• Dogecoin (DOGE): $0.12 (24h change: -2.96%)

The market remains in a bearish phase, roughly 30% below October’s peak, with attention focused on a key resistance level around BTC $89,000. The strength of the US dollar and the steady performance of commodity markets (especially gold, silver, and copper) continue to divert attention from crypto investors.

Next Steps and Expectations in Regulatory Negotiations

Hughes from Consensys suggests that a revised version of the current bill is likely to be introduced in the future. He states, “Sponsors and industry will prefer to step away from legislation that imposes excessive restrictions on decentralized technology,” and predicts that “a modified proposal will emerge, with major supporters like Coinbase re-engaging.”

From a DeFi industry perspective, this bill delay is not merely a setback but a crucial adjustment phase toward establishing a more appropriate cryptocurrency regulatory framework. The balance between industry pressure and legislative compromise increases the likelihood of a framework that combines innovation with regulation.