US crypto regulation faces new delays

Crypto reform remains uncertain after the Senate postponed the CLARITY Act markup, leaving key regulatory issues unresolved.
US crypto reform faces uncertainty after the Senate postponed the CLARITY Act markup, leaving key regulatory questions unresolved and delaying progress until late January.

Efforts to reform US cryptocurrency regulation have hit another delay, as Senate senators pushed back the crucial markup of the CLARITY Act. The vote has been moved to the last week of January to secure bipartisan support.

Disagreements persist over stablecoin rewards, DeFi regulation, and regulatory authority between the SEC and CFTC. Without sufficient support, the bill risks stalling in committee and losing momentum for the year.

The CLARITY Act aims to bring structure to the US digital asset landscape, clarifying which tokens are classed as securities or commodities and expanding the CFTC’s supervisory role. It sets rules for market oversight and asset handling, providing legal clarity beyond the current enforcement-focused system.

The House passed its version in mid-2025, but the Senate has yet to agree on wording acceptable to all stakeholders. Delaying the markup gives Senate leaders time to refine the bill and rebuild support for potential 2026 reform.

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