Pro-Crypto U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis Announces She Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2026

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis, widely regarded as one of the strongest allies of the cryptocurrency and digital assets industry in Congress, has announced she will not seek another term when her current six-year term ends in January 2027. The Republican lawmaker from Wyoming shared the decision in a statement released Friday, signaling a significant change for both Wyoming politics and the future of crypto legislation in Washington.

Lummis’ departure will leave an open Senate seat in one of the most reliably Republican states in the country, where she won nearly 73% of the vote in her 2020 election. While the seat is expected to remain in GOP hands, her exit removes a powerful and experienced advocate for crypto-friendly policy at a critical time for the industry.

As the inaugural chair of the Senate Banking Committee’s first subcommittee dedicated to digital assets, Lummis has played a central role in shaping the national conversation around cryptocurrency regulation. She has consistently pushed for clearer crypto market structure rules, favorable tax treatment for digital assets, and legislation aimed at establishing a U.S. government bitcoin reserve. Her efforts have helped elevate crypto policy to a top legislative priority within Congress.

Despite her decision not to run again, Lummis made clear she is not stepping away from the fight. She remains one of the lead negotiators on a major crypto market structure bill and plans to devote her remaining time in office to advancing digital asset legislation in 2026. She described the demands of Senate life as increasingly exhausting, noting that the energy required for another term no longer aligns with her capacity.

Lummis also reaffirmed her support for President Donald Trump and said she will focus on delivering key legislation to his desk while helping Republicans maintain control of the Senate. Leaders in the crypto industry quickly reacted to the news, with Crypto Council for Innovation CEO Ji Kim praising her as a leading champion whose work strengthened U.S. innovation and global competitiveness.

Her departure marks the end of a defining chapter for crypto advocacy in Congress, even as the industry prepares for its next legislative push.