Donald Trump Says More People Are Paying With Bitcoin as CLARITY Act Vote Moves to September

TLDR

Table of Contents

Trump said he is seeing more people use Bitcoin for payments, calling crypto a “big deal.”
The Senate left for its August recess without voting on the CLARITY Act.
Majority Leader John Thune said lawmakers will take up the bill when they return in September.
Democrats have pushed for ethics provisions covering government officials and crypto businesses.
Trump said the U.S. should lead in crypto and AI rather than allow China and others to take the lead.

President Donald Trump said he is seeing more people use Bitcoin for payments as the Senate delays a vote on the CLARITY Act until September.

Trump made the comments during an interview with Punchbowl News on August 7 while discussing the stalled crypto market structure bill and proposed ethics rules targeting government officials with digital asset interests.

The Senate entered its August recess without holding the expected vote on the CLARITY Act. Majority Leader John Thune said the legislation would be taken up when lawmakers return in September.

Trump said the growing use of Bitcoin could reduce pressure on the U.S. dollar while describing cryptocurrency as a “big deal” for the country.

Trump Says Bitcoin Use Is Growing

During the interview, Trump said he increasingly sees people paying with Bitcoin and claimed some consumers “don’t even know about cash anymore.” His comments point to his view that digital payments are becoming more common as cryptocurrency adoption expands.

JUST IN: Trump says he wants to see more people "paying" with Bitcoin
— Kalshi (@Kalshi) August 7, 2026

Trump also linked cryptocurrency leadership to competition with China and other countries. He said the United States needs to remain a leader in crypto and artificial intelligence rather than allow other nations to take the lead.

The president has previously supported policies aimed at expanding the U.S. digital asset industry. His administration has also backed efforts to establish clearer federal rules for crypto markets.

Trump’s comments came as lawmakers continue negotiations over the CLARITY Act, which would establish a federal framework for digital assets and divide regulatory responsibilities between the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

CLARITY Act Vote Delayed Until September

The Senate did not vote on the CLARITY Act before lawmakers left Washington for the August recess. Thune said the bill would be placed back on the agenda when senators return, moving the expected vote into September.

The delay followed disagreements over proposed ethics provisions and other parts of the legislation. Democratic lawmakers have pushed for restrictions involving elected officials and crypto-related businesses, while Republican lawmakers have argued that the added requirements have slowed progress on the bill.

The latest delay removes the near-term possibility of Senate action before the recess. Lawmakers will now have to resolve the remaining disputes before seeking enough support for a vote after the break.

Trump Faces Questions Over Family Crypto Businesses

Trump’s comments also came as lawmakers continue to question his family’s involvement in the digital asset industry. His financial disclosure reportedly showed earnings from several crypto-related ventures, including World Liberty Financial, its USD1 stablecoin and the TRUMP token.

Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about potential conflicts involving Trump’s political role and his family’s crypto businesses. Trump has rejected those concerns and said his children manage the family ventures.

During the interview, Trump said he would not oppose placing his crypto holdings into a blind trust. He also said he does not discuss the businesses with his children.

The debate over ethics language has become part of the wider negotiations surrounding the CLARITY Act. Supporters of the bill continue to seek a framework for digital asset markets, while lawmakers remain divided over restrictions connected to political figures and crypto businesses.

The delay leaves the legislation awaiting further Senate action when lawmakers return in September.