Former US Defense Secretary Mark Esper says the CLARITY Act is not merely a financial services bill, its a national security one. A former US defense secretary has urged the Senate to pass the CLARITY Act, arguing that weak digital asset rules create openings for North Korea and China to undermine American financial power. On Saturday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed cloture to bring the CLARITY Act to the Senate floor for consideration. “This is why the Clarity Act, now before the Senate, is not merely a financial services bill. Related: CLARITY Act delay gives Asian financial hubs an opening: First Digital CEO