Sean Casten Emerges as Potential House Financial Services Chair

Rep. Sean Casten could become a central figure in U.S. crypto policy if Democrats win the midterm elections and he challenges Rep. Maxine Waters for control of the House Financial Services Committee. Casten’s potential bid has drawn concern from crypto industry executives because of his record on digital-asset legislation. He voted against the CLARITY Act in 2025 and introduced a bill in 2024 to restrict crypto tools he believed could facilitate money laundering. Ron Hammond, Wintermute’s head of policy and advocacy, said Casten is not a friend of the crypto industry.