Published On: Mon, 05 Jan 2026 03:36:01 GMT

US CLARITY Act Set for Senate Review on January 15

On January 15, 2026, the US Senate Banking Committee will meet to review the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, also known as the CLARITY Act.

Sahil Thakur Regulatory News

Jan 5, 2026

Author: Sahil Thakur

5th January 2026 – On January 15, 2026, the US Senate Banking Committee will meet to review the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, also known as the CLARITY Act. This bill aims to provide clear rules for how digital assets are classified and regulated. It could finally bring long-awaited structure to the cryptocurrency industry.

Key Takeaways

The US Senate will review the CLARITY Act on January 15, 2026, in a key Banking Committee markup session.
The bill aims to clearly define digital commodities vs. securities and split oversight between the CFTC and SEC.
It includes new rules for stablecoins, DeFi oversight, exchange registration, and disclosure requirements.
Bipartisan backing and White House support signal strong momentum, although negotiations remain ongoing.
If passed, the bill could boost institutional confidence and keep more crypto innovation inside the US.

Aims of the CLARITY Act

The bill proposes a split in regulatory duties. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) would oversee decentralized digital commodities. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) would retain authority over more centralized assets. This distinction depends on how decentralized a blockchain is and how much control a single entity holds.

By defining these boundaries, the bill hopes to end years of legal gray areas. It also addresses stablecoins, investor protections, DeFi regulation, and anti-money laundering provisions.

How the Bill Reached the Senate

The CLARITY Act started in the House as H.R. 3633 and passed in May 2025 with strong support. A related Democratic proposal followed in September, focusing on financial stability and stronger safeguards.

In December, lawmakers tried to schedule a Senate markup. However, disagreements stalled the process. Some debated how stablecoin yields should be handled. Others raised concerns about ethics rules and the scope of SEC oversight. Differences between Republicans, Democrats, and the White House slowed things down. As a result, the markup was postponed until early 2026.

The Talk

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🚨 BREAKING: COINBASE’S D’AGOSTINO HAS JUST CONFIRMED THAT THE CLARITY ACT WILL BE PASSED ANY DAY FROM NOW! 📝 THIS WILL BE THE GAME-CHANGER FOR #XRP AND ALL OF CRYPTO! 🚀 https://t.co/SHQobZvtvl

03:27 PM·Jan 4, 2026

🚨BULLISH: The U.S. Senate has proposed a bill to prevent the SEC from interfering in cryptocurrency activities. The CLARITY ACT is anticipated to be signed into law this month! #XRP https://t.co/wEWFH47aXp

03:39 PM·Jan 3, 2026

clarity act will be a game changer imo

04:41 PM·Jan 2, 2026

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Momentum Builds Again

By mid-December, White House crypto advisor David Sacks confirmed that the markup would take place in January. The date was officially set for the 15th. This committee session will allow senators to debate, amend, and vote on the bill.

Many lawmakers believe the bill has enough bipartisan support to move forward. Senators Cynthia Lummis and Kirsten Gillibrand have led the effort, with input from the crypto industry and regulatory bodies.

What the Bill Covers

The latest drafts include several major components:

A test to decide if a digital asset qualifies as a commodity or a security
A new framework for “Digital Commodity Exchanges” under CFTC oversight
A 360-day window for existing platforms to register and comply
Fundraising limits of $75 million per year for projects on decentralized networks
Clear rules for stablecoins, DeFi, and disclosures
A permanent coordination committee between the SEC and CFTC
Ethics rules to prevent officials from profiting off the sector they regulate

If passed, the bill could give companies the confidence to build in the US. Many firms have left the country due to regulatory uncertainty. This law might reverse that trend.

Clear rules could also attract more institutional investors. It could encourage compliant tokenization of real-world assets. Market analysts see it as a sign of maturity for the crypto space.

Risks Still Remain

Despite growing momentum, the bill faces challenges. Political tensions, midterm elections, or budget disputes could delay progress. Some critics argue that the bill is more about appearances than substance. Others worry it will not solve issues like falling retail interest.

The January 15 session is a key step. If the Banking Committee approves the bill, it could move to the full Senate. From there, it would need to be reconciled with the House version before becoming law.

If that happens, the US would finally have a regulatory framework for digital assets. That outcome could reshape crypto markets in 2026 and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CLARITY Act?

The CLARITY Act is a US crypto regulation bill that aims to classify digital assets clearly. It proposes a split between CFTC oversight for decentralized digital commodities and SEC oversight for securities.

When will the Senate vote on it?

The Senate Banking Committee will review the bill on January 15, 2026, through a formal markup. If it passes, it could move to a full Senate vote shortly after.

Why is this important for crypto?

It brings long-needed regulatory clarity. This could encourage institutional adoption, reduce compliance risk, and keep crypto innovation inside the US.

Does the bill address stablecoins and DeFi?

Yes. It includes yield rules for stablecoins, outlines how DeFi might be regulated based on decentralization, and adds new oversight layers for these sectors.

Will it help US crypto companies?

If passed, it could reverse the trend of crypto companies moving offshore. Clear rules may also attract more institutional capital into the space.

What happens if the bill fails?

If the bill is delayed or rejected, the regulatory gap will likely continue through the 2026 election cycle. That could keep pressure on US-based crypto firms.

Is the White House involved?

Yes. The bill has backing from the Trump administration’s crypto advisor, David Sacks, and was shaped with input from industry, lawmakers, and regulators.

Are there any concerns with the bill?

Some argue it doesn’t go far enough to protect retail investors. Others worry about political delays or loopholes that allow centralized entities to bypass rules.

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US CLARITY Act Set for Senate Review on January 15

Key Takeaways

Aims of the CLARITY Act

How the Bill Reached the Senate

The Talk

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Momentum Builds Again

What the Bill Covers

Why It Matters

Risks Still Remain

What Comes Next

Frequently Asked Questions

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