At the Consensus Miami 2026 conference on Thursday, Florida Senator Ashley Moody engaged in a conversation with Cody Carbone, the CEO of the Digital Chamber, to articulate her perspective on the federal government’s relationship with digital currencies. This marked her inaugural appearance at the event, reflecting a growing trend of senior policymakers participating in industry forums.
The timing of Moody’s remarks coincides with critical legislative developments, particularly the CLARITY Act, which is advancing toward a Senate Banking Committee vote. The bill’s proponents, including Senators Cynthia Lummis and Bernie Moreno, have emphasized that failure to act before the Memorial Day recess could delay progress until 2030. Earlier in the week, Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse characterized the current momentum as a significant positive shift for the industry.
Moody’s appearance follows Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Day 2 address, where she expressed confidence in the legislation’s trajectory. Other first-time attendees at Consensus 2026 include CFTC Chairman Michael Selig and White House official Patrick Witt, signaling heightened federal interest in crypto policy. The Senate Banking Committee is reportedly aiming for a markup session around May 11.
The conference attracted over 20,000 participants, with institutional investors comprising about 35% of the audience and collectively managing approximately $10 trillion in assets. Major financial institutions like Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan joined as first-time sponsors, underscoring the industry’s growing legitimacy. Moody’s presence at Consensus highlights a broader shift from occasional federal engagement to sustained involvement in crypto regulation.