Anthony Scaramucci Blames Trump’s Crypto Moves for Blocking Key Regulation

Scaramucci shared with Cointelegraph during the SALT London conference that memecoin launches shortly after the 2024 election and ahead of Trump’s 2025 inauguration disrupted the bipartisan drive for cryptocurrency regulation.

When asked if the memecoin activities alone caused the bill’s collapse, Scaramucci said, “That was the only reason.” He explained that Democrats who were initially more favorable to crypto regulation withdrew their support after the memecoin launches.

These comments came after the Senate failed to advance the CLARITY Act on September 15, with a procedural vote ending 49 to 50, falling short of the 60 votes needed. The bill aimed to create a federal regulatory framework for digital assets but faced opposition due to ethical provisions restricting government officials’ cryptocurrency holdings.

Scaramucci also highlighted the dispute over these ethical restrictions, noting lawmakers wanted tougher measures which the White House rejected.

He said, “It’s a mix of business interests and memecoins,” adding that legislators tried to enforce stringent ethics rules but the White House was unwilling to approve them.

“Both sides share responsibility for the deal’s failure,” he emphasized.

In July, five Democratic senators called for hearings regarding Trump’s cryptocurrency holdings and potential conflicts of interest, citing fears that his financial ties could affect crypto policies. Additionally, House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill acknowledged that Trump’s crypto business complicated the legislative process.

In August, consumer rights group Public Citizen estimated investors suffered at least $4.7 billion in mostly unrealized losses from Trump-related crypto projects, including $3.2 billion tied to the Official Trump (TRUMP) memecoin. According to the group, Trump earned $635 million in memecoin licensing fees in 2025, based on his financial disclosure.

Despite the setback in legislation, Scaramucci expressed optimism that under SEC Chair Paul Atkins, tokenization could gain enough momentum to reach “escape velocity,” making it difficult for future SEC chairs to hinder industry growth.

However, he noted it was too soon to determine whether this widespread adoption would occur before the next administration assumes office.

The developments reveal how political interests and crypto industry dynamics can directly influence the success or failure of major cryptocurrency regulations.

Understanding these factors is crucial for anticipating the regulatory environment surrounding digital assets in the near future.