Crypto Bill Markup Delay: Senate Moves CLARITY Act Vote to Late Jan

Crypto Bill Markup Delay Explained: Why the Senate Needs More Time?

Is the Crypto Bill Markup Delay a setback for digital assets industry, or a smart move to protect the future of regulation? The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee has decided to delay its vote on the crypto market structure bill until the last week of January. 

This temporary halt will give legislators a better chance to gain support among both sides. This delay may take a little longer, but the end result, the law, may end up stable as well.

What the Crypto Bill Markup Delay Really Means?

The Crypto Bill Markup Delay indicates that the Senate Agriculture Committee will not hold its scheduled discussion and vote this week. This will now occur in the later part of January.

A markup is when lawmakers review a draft, suggest changes, and prepare it for a full Senate vote.

As Tweeted by Eleanor Terrett, this decision also avoids what many called “dueling markups.” 

Source: X (formerly Twitter) 

• Both the Agriculture and Banking Committees were set to review their own bills related to digital currencies on the same day. 

• That could have created two different versions of digital assets regulation. 

Now, lawmakers have more time to align their plans and avoid confusion. 

Chairman John Boozman said the delay is needed to protect bipartisan support. Since the Senate needs 60 votes to move forward, Republicans must gain help from Democrats. Without this support, the draft would fail.

Why Is Bipartisan Support Critical for the CLARITY Act? 

The CLARITY Act is one of the most important crypto laws being discussed in years. It aims to define which agency controls digital assets markets, the SEC or the CFTC. This clarity is necessary for exchanges, investors, and large financial institutions.

With only 53 Republican senators, at least 7 Democrats must vote yes. That is why this is not bad news. It improves the chances that the bill survives the Senate floor vote. Without Democratic backing, the CLARITY Act would be dead on arrival. 

Growing Pressure Inside the Senate

Some Democratic senators are already raising concerns. They asked for more time to review the bill’s text, which is expected to exceed 200 pages. Even Republican Senator John Kennedy earlier requested hearings. This shows how complex and sensitive digital assets regulation has become.

At the same time, SEC Chair Paul Atkins has shown full support for the bill. He believes the CLARITY Act can finally move the industry out of the “regulatory gray zone” and protect markets from unstable rules.

Source: X (formerly Twitter) 

Coinbase Dispute Adds More Delay Risk

Another challenge behind the Crypto Bill Markup postponed is Coinbase’s opposition. The exchange warned it may withdraw support if stablecoin rewards are restricted. Banks want those rewards banned, while Coinbase argues they help users and keep the U.S. competitive.

This conflict is now weakening political unity. Lawmakers must balance banking interests with innovation and consumer benefits.

Crypto Market Reacts to Uncertainty

The crypto market declined by 0.95% in the last 24 hours and is now down by 3.08% in the current week. There have been $50.8M worth of liquidations in Bitcoin, with many margin traders being forced to close their positions. The volume in the perpetual contracts skyrocketed, but the funding rates plummeted. 

Bitcoin dominance rose to 58.65%, which means traders are moving away from risky altcoins and toward safer assets. This behavior usually appears during regulatory uncertainty, like the current Clarity Act Markup Delay period.

What Happens Next? 

This gives lawmakers time to align the Agriculture and Banking Committees, settle disputes over stablecoin rewards, and finalize bipartisan support. If successful, the CLARITY Act could be voted on by early 2026 and signed soon after.

YMYL Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice.
Readers should conduct their own research and consult professionals before making any financial decisions.