New Ethics Bill Bans Congress, Top Officials From Endorsing Crypto and NFTs, Adds Jail Time for Corruption

If you’ve ever watched a high-ranking official or a celebrity push a new crypto coin or NFT, and thought, “Wait, is that legal?” this new bill is for you. The End Crypto Corruption Act of 2025 is a major ethics cleanup effort that targets the intersection of government power and the wild west of digital assets.

The Ban: No More Official Crypto Endorsements

What does this bill actually do? It creates a hard wall between high-ranking federal officials and the business of launching, sponsoring, or endorsing digital assets for money. This rule applies to a wide net of “covered individuals,” including the President, Vice President, all members of Congress, and anyone appointed to a position requiring Senate confirmation. Crucially, the ban also extends to their spouses and dependent children. So, no more family members getting rich off a token launch while Dad or Mom is setting policy.

The ban covers everything from cryptocurrencies and stablecoins to meme coins and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). The key distinction here is that officials aren't banned from simply buying or holding standard assets available to the public. They are banned from the creation, sponsorship, or endorsement side of the business—the part where they could use their name or position to pump up a new asset for profit. This restriction isn't just for their time in office; it sticks around for one full year after they leave their position, aiming to curb the revolving door problem in this space.

The Real-World Impact: Closing the Corruption Loophole

This legislation is essentially closing a perceived loophole in existing ethics law. For the average person, this means a significant reduction in the risk of officials using their insider knowledge or influence to personally profit from a rapidly moving financial sector. Imagine a senator who sits on a committee regulating stablecoins suddenly endorsing a new stablecoin project; this bill makes that specific scenario illegal.

If an official or their family member breaks this rule, the consequences are severe. On the civil side, the penalty is a fine that’s the greater of either up to 10% of the value of the financial interest involved or the total profit made. All profits must also be returned to the U.S. Treasury. This is a serious financial deterrent, especially considering how valuable some of these digital assets can become.

Criminal Penalties and Losing Immunity

Beyond the heavy fines, this bill introduces brand new criminal penalties. If an official knowingly violates the ethics rule and it results in a loss of at least $1 million to the public, or if the official profits from the sale or endorsement, they face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both. This is a clear signal that this type of financial self-dealing is now treated as a serious federal crime.

Perhaps the most significant change for accountability is the removal of official immunity. The bill explicitly states that any action related to these prohibited financial transactions will be treated as an “unofficial act.” This means that officials cannot hide behind their status to avoid civil or criminal liability for crypto-related corruption. It ensures that when it comes to these specific financial dealings, they are held accountable just like any other citizen.