The Clarity Act, a bill meant to set clear market-structure rules for digital assets by dividing oversight between the SEC and CFTC, failed to get a vote before the Senate's August recess. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has now scheduled a procedural vote for September 15, but unresolved disputes over stablecoin rewards and ethics provisions tied to President Trump's crypto holdings could still stall progress. Industry figures, including SALT CEO John Darsie, say they doubt the bill can pass before the 2026 midterms complicate the legislative calendar.
Amid escalating political pressure from President Trump on the Federal Reserve, commentators are floating ways to strengthen the central bank's accountability mechanisms as a means of preserving its independence. The proposals aim to balance greater oversight of the Fed's decisions with protecting its ability to set monetary policy free from short-term political interference.
A journalist filed over 100 California Consumer Privacy Act data-access requests to major companies, including McDonald's, which returned a 515-page report detailing app behavior and predictive profiling. Many companies mishandled the process—some deleted data instead of disclosing it despite explicit instructions otherwise, while others ignored the contact methods listed in their own privacy policies.
Seven U.S. states have enacted extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws that shift the cost and responsibility for packaging waste onto manufacturers, while more than a dozen other states are weighing similar measures. The policies aim to push companies toward more sustainable packaging choices, such as refillable containers or recyclable materials, rather than conventional plastics.
Basement, a well-known New York City nightclub, announced on social media that anyone wearing or carrying smart glasses, such as Meta's, will be asked to leave and could face a lifetime ban. The club says the devices' ability to secretly record conflicts with its existing no-photo, no-video policy meant to protect patrons' privacy on the dance floor.
Canada's requirement that streaming services fund and feature domestic content has drawn attention as a potential irritant in trade negotiations with the United States. US officials and industry groups have pointed to these rules as a barrier that disadvantages American streaming companies operating in Canada.
A report from The Midas Project examined 18 startups backed by venture firm Andreessen Horowitz, finding a pattern of investments in companies accused of running fake-account bot farms, hosting deepfake models used to sexualize minors, operating gambling platforms that skirt consumer laws, and building AI companion apps linked to suicide and troubling behavior toward children. The firm, led by Marc Andreessen, is simultaneously spending heavily on political influence, including a $100 million super PAC and lobbying that helped produce an executive order aimed at weakening state AI regulations. Andreessen Horowitz did not respond to a request for comment.
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