Odaily Planet Daily News: Wall Street brokerage Benchmark has indicated that if Congress fails to pass the market structure bill this year, the U.S. cryptocurrency market will face structural limitations. Analyst Mark Palmer noted in the report that the absence of legislation will result in a persistent structural risk premium, thereby limiting the valuation expansion of platforms affected by the U.S. This situation will delay the maturation process of cryptocurrencies, making investors prefer Bitcoin-centered investments, strong balance sheets, and cash-generating infrastructure over regulatory-sensitive areas like exchanges, decentralized finance (DeFi), and altcoins. Among these, DeFi and smart contract platforms are most susceptible to impact, while Bitcoin, miners, and energy-supported infrastructure carry less risk. The bill aims to define market structure by clarifying how digital assets are classified as commodities or securities and specifying the regulatory responsibilities of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Despite the delays, Palmer still believes that the likelihood of the bill passing is greater than that of it not passing, and any version of the legislation would reduce regulatory risk and unlock broader institutional participation. (CoinDesk)