Coinbase Pushes Back on CLARITY Act as Stablecoin Rewards Face Ban

Coinbase Signals Possible Withdrawal of Support From CLARITY Act Amid Stablecoin Rewards Dispute

Coinbase is escalating its lobbying efforts in Washington as tensions rise around the future of stablecoin rewards in the United States. The leading crypto exchange is reportedly considering withdrawing its support for the CLARITY Act, a major crypto market structure bill, if lawmakers move forward with restrictions that would prevent stablecoin issuers from offering rewards through crypto platforms.

The issue is expected to take center stage during a Senate Banking Committee markup session scheduled for Thursday, where lawmakers will debate provisions that could reshape how decentralized finance and stablecoin products operate in the US.

Why Stablecoin Rewards Are Becoming a Political Flashpoint

According to a Bloomberg report citing a source familiar with Coinbase’s internal discussions, the company may reconsider backing the CLARITY Act if the legislation expands bans on yield-like incentives tied to stablecoins. While previous laws targeted issuers directly, the new proposal could extend restrictions to crypto exchanges and third-party platforms, effectively shutting down reward programs altogether.

Coinbase has not publicly confirmed the report, and the company did not provide an immediate response when contacted. However, the growing pressure campaign suggests the exchange sees stablecoin rewards as a critical part of its long-term business model rather than a peripheral feature.

Banks Push Back as Crypto Influence Grows

Traditional banking institutions have emerged as some of the most vocal opponents of stablecoin reward programs. Banking lobby groups argue that yield-bearing stablecoins could draw massive amounts of capital away from savings accounts and money market products, threatening the stability of the legacy financial system.

These concerns have spilled into the public arena. Reports indicate that anti-DeFi advocacy groups have funded television advertisements urging Americans to pressure their senators into supporting stricter crypto market structure rules. The messaging frames decentralized finance as a systemic risk rather than an innovation.

Crypto Advocates Mobilize Ahead of Senate Debate

The crypto community has responded with its own coordinated push. Stand With Crypto, a grassroots advocacy group backed by industry leaders, claims its supporters have sent more than 135,000 emails to US senators urging them to protect stablecoin rewards and resist further DeFi restrictions.

This surge of political engagement highlights how high the stakes have become. For many crypto firms, the outcome of the CLARITY Act debate could determine whether the US remains a competitive market for blockchain innovation or falls behind more permissive jurisdictions.

The GENIUS Act Loophole and Why It Matters

Passed in July, the GENIUS Act banned stablecoin issuers from directly offering interest or yield to token holders. However, the law stopped short of explicitly prohibiting rewards distributed through exchanges or partner platforms. That gap has allowed firms to continue offering incentives indirectly, a loophole the banking industry now wants to close through the CLARITY Act.

Coinbase, for its part, has applied for a national trust banking charter. If approved, the charter could legally allow the exchange to offer certain reward products under existing regulations, strengthening its position against broader bans.

Billions at Stake for Crypto Platforms and Banks

Stablecoins have quietly become one of Coinbase’s most profitable business lines. In the fourth quarter alone, the company generated nearly $247 million in stablecoin-related revenue, alongside an additional $154.8 million from blockchain reward services.

A ban on rewards linked to popular products like Circle’s USDC, which currently offers yields of around 3.5%, could significantly dent revenues not only for Coinbase but also for other major trading platforms.

On the other side of the debate, US Treasury estimates suggest widespread stablecoin adoption could pull as much as $6.6 trillion out of the traditional banking system. For banks, the threat is existential rather than incremental.

Political Timelines Could Delay Final Outcomes

Even as the debate intensifies, uncertainty remains over how quickly crypto market structure legislation can move through Congress. Analysts at TD Cowen’s Washington Research Group have warned that the upcoming 2026 US midterm elections could slow progress, pushing final passage of the CLARITY Act to 2027, with full implementation potentially delayed until 2029.

Despite those projections, Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott has expressed confidence that lawmakers can act sooner and deliver tangible results that balance innovation with financial stability.

A Defining Moment for US Crypto Regulation

The CLARITY Act debate represents more than a fight over stablecoin rewards. It is shaping up to be a defining moment for the future of decentralized finance in the United States. Whether lawmakers choose to side with traditional banking interests or embrace crypto-native financial models will likely influence where capital, talent, and innovation flow in the coming decade.

For Coinbase and the broader crypto industry, the message is clear: stablecoin rewards are no longer just a product feature, but a regulatory battleground with billions of dollars and the future of US crypto leadership on the line.

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