The shutdown in the USA enters a critical phase: Congress is looking for a way out.

The U.S. government has been in a shutdown mode for 34 days now — this is almost a record result. On Monday, leaders from both chambers of Congress are seriously discussing a way out of the deadlock for the first time.

What is turned off right now:

• Salaries for 2+ million federal employees ( go on unpaid leave )
• Payments to American military personnel
• The operation of numerous airports and transportation infrastructure
• Social assistance programs for vulnerable populations

Numbers that shock:

• $1.7 trillion in discretionary funding — a third of the annual budget of the USA — is hanging in the air
• 34 days of conflict between Trump and Congress
• The financial year began on October 1, but the budget has not been adopted.

Potential turning point: Senators from both parties have held a series of closed-door negotiations and seem to have begun seeking a compromise. This could mean that the long game of political poker is finally coming to an end.

Why is this important for the crypto community? A prolonged shutdown increases distrust in government institutions and pushes investors to seek alternatives like Bitcoin.