Senator Moreno Vows to ‘Break the Cartel’ as Banks Panic Over CLARITY Act Stablecoin Yields

Senator Bernie Moreno on Monday accused the U.S. banking lobby of full panic mode over CLARITY Act stablecoin yields. The American Bankers Association is urging bank CEOs to pressure senators against the provisions.

The Ohio Republican sits on the Senate Banking Committee. He published the criticism on X ahead of Thursday’s CLARITY Act markup.

ABA Letter Targets CLARITY Act Stablecoin Yield Language

ABA CEO Rob Nichols sent a Sunday letter to every bank CEO in the country. He called for “immediate engagement” on stablecoin yield policy.

Nichols warned that the current proposal would prompt deposit flight into payment stablecoins, citing risks to growth and stability. His note described what banks call a stablecoin loophole in the committee’s draft.

“we believe committee members may not be fully aware of the risks to the economy by the stablecoin loophole,” read an excerpt in the letter, citing Nicholas.

Moreno rejected that framing, saying the question was already litigated during the GENIUS Act debate led by Senator Bill Hagerty.

What’s at Stake Thursday

The Senate Banking Committee marks up the CLARITY Act on Thursday, May 14, at 10:30 a.m. ET. Polymarket bettors now give the bill a 73% chance of becoming law this year.

Senators Thom Tillis and Angela Alsobrooks brokered the disputed compromise text. It bars yield “economically or functionally equivalent” to deposit interest. The provision still permits rewards from bona fide platform activity.

Patrick Witt of the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets called out the bank lobby. He said the ABA refused White House meetings on the yield issue back in February.

“I specifically requested the attendance of Mr. Nichols and other bank trade CEOs at the meetings we hosted back in February to resolve the stablecoin rewards/yield issue. They refused. I guess the White House was beneath them? In their defense, I wouldn’t want to have to defend their position in public either,” he said.

A successful markup would advance the bill toward a full Senate floor vote. A stall could sideline U.S. crypto legislation for the rest of the session.

Moreno said he plans to vote to break the cartel.