With disagreements still unresolved, the pause signals that crypto regulation may take longer than expected
A key Senate committee has delayed its planned debate on the crypto-focused CLARITY Act, slowing momentum on a bill the digital asset industry has been closely watching. The markup, originally scheduled for Thursday, was postponed to allow more time for bipartisan negotiations.
I’ve spoken with leaders across the crypto industry, the financial sector, and my Democratic and Republican colleagues, and everyone remains at the table working in good faith.
As we take a brief pause before moving to a markup, this market structure bill reflects months of…
— Senator Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) January 15, 2026
Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott said additional discussions are needed before the legislation can move forward. He noted that talks are ongoing with lawmakers from both parties, along with representatives from the crypto industry, financial institutions, and law enforcement.
Scott said the goal remains to establish clear rules for the crypto market that protect consumers, address national security concerns, and keep innovation based in the United States. He did not provide a new date for when the committee will revisit the markup.
The delay follows a similar move by the Senate Agriculture Committee, which also pushed back its own consideration of the bill earlier this week. That committee oversees the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, while the Banking Committee handles matters tied to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Both must approve the bill before it can advance.
The CLARITY Act is designed to clarify how federal regulators oversee crypto markets and define responsibilities between the SEC and CFTC. A version of the bill passed the House in July, but Senate approval is still required.
Industry reaction to the Senate draft has been mixed. Some crypto companies and advocacy groups support the framework, while others oppose provisions that would limit stablecoin-related payments and tighten rules around decentralized finance. Bank lobbyists have backed those limits, arguing they protect the traditional financial system.
Coinbase recently withdrew its support, warning that the bill could restrict innovation and raise privacy concerns. Other firms, including Kraken and Ripple, continue to support the Senate version.
