The Senate Committee on Agriсulture, Nutrition and Forestry has scheduled a January 27 markup for the CLARITY Act, its proposed crypto market structure legislation, following the recent release of a draft version of the bill for review.
Key Points
- The Senate Agriculture Committee has scheduled a January 27 markup for the CLARITY Act, with the draft released January 21.
- The markup allows senators to debate, amend, and finalize provisions for clearer crypto regulation under the SEC and CFTC.
- Bipartisan support is spotlighted, with lawmakers emphasizing innovation, consumer protection, and U.S. leadership in crypto.
“I remain committed to advancing bipartisan crypto market structure legislation. We have made meaningful progress and had constructive discussions as we work toward this goal. I appreciate the leadership and engagement of Senator Booker and his team as we address these complex policy issues,” Senate Committee Chairman John Boozman stated in an official announcement. To finalize the remaining details and ensure the broad support this legislation requires, additional time is needed before moving to markup. The committee will mark up this legislation during the last week of January,” he added.
The Senate is set to release the full text of the CLARITY Act on January 21 ahead of the scheduled markup. Senator Cynthia Lummis shared images of the draft on X, describing it as “bipartisan text ready” for review. She also called on her “Democratic colleagues” to maintain the progress achieved so far. “The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act will provide thе clarity needed to keep innovation in the U.S. & protect consumers,” Lummis wrote.
“The digital asset industry can’t wait any longer for regulatory clarity. This bipartisan Clarity Act provides the framework America needs to lead in financial innovation while protecting consumers. Both parties contributed to every section,” Senator Lummis wrote in a separate X post.
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A Senate markup is a committee meeting where lawmakers review а proposed bill in detail. During the session, senators can debate provisions, suggest amendments, and make changes before voting on whether to advance the bill to the full Senate.
For the CLARITY Act, the markup is a key step in shaping the legislation that aims to clarify how cryptocurrencies are regulated in the U.S. It allows the committee to finalize rules for oversight by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), address contentious issues like stablecoin yields and decentralized finance, and ensure the bill has bipartisan support before moving forward. This process is crucial for determining whether the bill can progress toward a Senate vote and eventually become law.
Related: CFTC Opens Door for National Trust Banks to Issue Stablecoins
SEC Chair Paul Atkins commented on X that Congress is close to modernizing the nation’s financial markets for the 21st century. He said that passing bipartisan market structure legislation would help protect against inconsistent regulation and advance President Donald Trump’s goal of positioning the U.S. as a global leader in cryptocurrency.
If approved, the CLARITY Act could set a lasting framework for crypto regulation in the U.S., offering businesses and investors clearer rules and greater confidence as the industry continues to grow. The coming weeks will reveal how lawmakers balance innovation with oversight, and whether the bill can navigate the remaining hurdles on Capitol Hill.
