Michael Saylor (마이클 세일러) has argued that bitcoin does not need the CLARITY Act, a U.S. digital asset market structure bill, reigniting debate over U.S. cryptocurrency regulation. He drew a distinction between how bitcoin itself operates and efforts to build a regulatory framework for the U.S. crypto industry.

On Aug. 7, blockchain outlet U.Today reported that Saylor said in a recent post that bitcoin can operate without the CLARITY Act, which has been debated for a long time.

His remarks came shortly after the U.S. Senate failed to bring the bill to a floor vote before its summer recess, delaying the timetable. Saylor said, "Bitcoin does not need this bill," and suggested instead that the United States needs such legislation to operate its domestic crypto industry smoothly.

Saylor did not explain in detail why he believes bitcoin does not need the CLARITY Act. He was seen as emphasising that bitcoin already operates as a global network regardless of any single country's regulatory framework or legislative action.

Market reaction to his comments was mixed. Some users agreed with Saylor, saying bitcoin has functioned normally regardless of whether specific regulatory bills pass. Others countered that a clear regulatory framework is needed to bring the crypto industry, including bitcoin, into the mainstream and expand institutional investment.

The CLARITY Act, at the centre of the debate, aims to more clearly define the legal nature of digital assets in the United States and the jurisdiction of regulators. Expectations have been raised that, if passed, the bill would reduce regulatory uncertainty in the crypto market and help the United States establish itself as a hub for the global digital asset industry.

For that reason, Saylor's remarks are also interpreted as a call to distinguish between bitcoin as an asset and the institutional foundation the U.S. crypto industry needs, rather than an outright rejection of the bill's necessity. The view is that bitcoin can operate without the bill, but the United States needs a separate legal framework if it wants to actively foster the crypto industry.

The bill's schedule has now slipped to September. The U.S. Senate decided not to hold a vote before its August recess, pushing back action on the bill that the market had been waiting for until after next month. The Senate plans to revisit the bill after the recess ends. Senate Majority Leader John Thune was also reported to have confirmed plans to push for a September vote.

Attention is now focusing on two issues. One is whether bitcoin can operate independently regardless of U.S. efforts to build a regulatory framework. The other is what level of regulatory clarity the United States should put in place to secure an advantage in the competition to become a global crypto hub.

Saylor said bitcoin does not need the CLARITY Act but also stressed that the United States needs cryptocurrency-related legislation. The debate is expected to continue around how far bitcoin's network autonomy can be separated from the institutional foundation of the U.S. crypto industry.

In particular, whether the Senate proceeds with an actual vote in September, and how the bill defines the regulatory status of major digital assets including bitcoin, are expected to be key variables shaping the direction of the U.S. crypto market.