⚖️ CLARITY Act Update: The Countdown to Jan 27 Begins
The "Regulatory Fog" in the U.S. is finally lifting. Two powerful Senate committees are moving in tandem to finalize the CLARITY Act, a landmark bill designed to crown America the "Crypto Capital of the World."
📅 Key Dates to Watch
• Jan 15 (Tomorrow): The Senate Banking Committee (led by Tim Scott) holds its markup hearing.
• Jan 21: Senate Agriculture Committee (led by John Boozman) will release the finalized legislative text.
• Jan 27: The official Senate Ag Committee Markup, where the final vote to move the bill to the Senate floor occurs.
🏛️ SEC & CFTC: A United Front
SEC Chairman Paul Atkins recently confirmed he is "bullish" on President Trump signing this bill in 2026.
• The Division: Under the new structure, the CFTC will gain exclusive jurisdiction over "Digital Commodities" (spot markets), while the SEC retains oversight of digital asset securities.
• The Goal: Future-proof the industry against "rogue regulators" and provide institutional certainty.
⚠️ Sticking Points: Yield & DeFi
The path isn't entirely clear. Recent amendments have introduced some controversy:
1. Stablecoin Yield: The latest draft seeks to bar passive yield on stablecoins (placating traditional banks), though it still allows "activity-based" rewards (staking, validation, or ecosystem participation).
2. Surveillance Concerns: Analysts have warned that some provisions could broaden financial surveillance powers over DeFi "front-ends."
3. Government Shutdown: A looming funding deadline on Jan 30 remains a minor "wildcard" that could delay the final vote.
💡 The Bottom Line
We are witnessing the most significant legislative push in crypto history. If the bill passes the Senate, it heads to the House and then to the President's desk. As Chairman Atkins puts it: "Clear rules are the prerequisite for global dominance."
What do you think? Should stablecoins be allowed to offer passive yield, or is the Senate right to protect traditional banking deposits? 👇