After weeks of uncertainty, Washington’s crypto rulebook may be edging closer to a breakthrough.
Behind the scenes, senators are preparing to reopen formal debate on the CLARITY Act, a bill that could reshape how digital assets are regulated in the United States.
Key Takeaways
The Senate Banking Committee is preparing to revisit the CLARITY Act with a markup expected in mid-January.
Earlier disputes over token rules, stablecoins, and compliance had delayed the bill into the new year.
Bipartisan support at the committee stage will be critical to avoid another legislative stall.
Markets are increasingly betting the CLARITY Act could pass in the first half of next year.
Lawmakers on the Senate Banking Committee are expected to hold a markup session in mid-January, a procedural step that would revive the bill after earlier talks stalled. While a markup does not guarantee passage, it signals that negotiations have progressed far enough for amendments to be formally considered.
Why this step matters now
The CLARITY Act has been in limbo following disputes over some of crypto’s most contentious topics. Lawmakers previously clashed on stablecoin yield limits, how tokens should be classified, safeguards against illicit finance, and ethical standards tied to digital asset activity. Those disagreements pushed the bill into the new year.
The decision to schedule a markup suggests that at least some of those issues have been narrowed. Even so, it remains unclear whether both parties are fully aligned. A divided vote at committee level could still slow or derail the process before it reaches the Senate floor.
Avoiding another legislative stall
Capitol Hill is keenly aware of how earlier crypto legislation struggled to gain momentum. The GENIUS Act faced repeated delays after failing to secure broad backing at critical moments, highlighting how fragile progress can be without bipartisan support.
Supporters of the CLARITY Act see the upcoming markup as a chance to keep the bill moving and avoid another prolonged stalemate. If amendments are approved and the committee advances the legislation, the next challenge will be securing enough cross-party votes to keep it alive on the Senate floor.
What passage could mean for crypto markets
Unlike more narrowly focused proposals, the CLARITY Act aims to establish a broader regulatory framework for the crypto industry. Proponents argue that clearer rules could reduce uncertainty for companies, investors, and regulators alike.
That prospect has already caught the attention of market participants. Bitwise has suggested that regulatory clarity could act as a tailwind for major networks, with assets like Ethereum and Solana potentially benefiting if the bill becomes law.
Traders are betting on progres
Outside Congress, sentiment is shifting as well. On prediction markets such as Kalshi, traders are increasingly wagering that the CLARITY Act will clear Congress in the first half of next year. Current odds imply a growing belief that lawmakers will strike a deal sooner rather than later.
For now, nothing is guaranteed. But the return of the CLARITY Act to the legislative calendar suggests crypto regulation is no longer on pause. If momentum holds through January, the bill could mark one of the most consequential regulatory developments the industry has seen in years.
