[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong] With the U.S. Senate set to hold a procedural vote on the Clarity Act on Sept. 15 (local time), lobbying by the cryptocurrency industry and regional banks is spreading to senators’ home states. During Congress’ August recess, both sides mobilised local events, meetings, op-eds, phone calls, emails and advertising to persuade senators.

According to blockchain media outlet Decrypt, the Clarity Act would establish federal-level rules for digital assets and divide oversight authority between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Ahead of next week’s vote, the focus is shifting not only to the bill’s overall direction but also to some detailed provisions.

The cryptocurrency industry is emphasising the need for regulatory clarity to keep operating in the United States. Stand With Crypto, an advocacy group backed by Coinbase, said it has 3 million supporters and that members made almost 50,000 calls or sent emails to Congress during August alone. The group placed op-eds supporting the Clarity Act in local newspapers and held pro-bill events around the country. In Georgia, chapter head Tia Williams (티아 윌리엄스) met staff for Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock. Warnock previously voted against advancing the bill at the Senate Banking Committee.

The industry’s push into politics is also growing. Cryptocurrency groups have already spent at least $190 million ahead of the November midterm elections. The Blockchain Association launched "Clarity for America" in July to help individuals and companies deliver pro-bill messages directly to senators.

Regional banks, by contrast, argue that stablecoin reward provisions could pull deposits away from banks and weaken their ability to lend. The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) arranged meetings between local bankers and senators and also ran TV advertising urging changes to the bill. ICBA President and Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Romero Rainey said small businesses understand the central role community banks play in local economies and added she hopes the Clarity Act does not harm this important source of credit.

The group in particular demanded that the bill clearly include a ban on interest-like rewards for stablecoins. Rainey said Congress must include a strong ban on stablecoin returns so that community banks can continue to support $4.1 trillion in lending activity across communities nationwide.

The core point of conflict is whether stablecoin rewards should be allowed. Banks believe that if crypto platforms pay stablecoin rewards, deposits could flow out of traditional finance. Crypto companies, meanwhile, argue that such reward features must be preserved and that the industry needs clear federal rules to operate in the United States.

The bill is also facing opposition over anti-money laundering safeguards and restrictions on public officials’ cryptocurrency interests. As a result, the Sept. 15 procedural vote is expected to be not just a matter of Senate scheduling but a turning point where the digital asset regulatory framework and banking interests collide head-on.