- Main event, leadership changes, market impact, financial shifts, or expert insights.
- Senate postpones CLARITY Act, faces industry resistance.
- Coinbase’s pushback challenges DeFi regulation proposals.
The Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act, H.R. 3633, experienced a Senate Banking Committee delay on January 14, 2026, after objections from Coinbase and is awaiting rescheduling.
The Act’s delay affects regulatory clarity, prompting market uncertainty, as stakeholders including Coinbase and Ripple debate federal standards that significantly impact the cryptocurrency industry.
The Senate delayed the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act markup due to industry resistance, primarily from Coinbase. The House passed the Act in July 2025, but the Senate Banking Committee has not announced a new date for further discussion.
Coinbase’s leadership expressed concern about revisions expanding government access to DeFi data and broadening SEC authority. Senator Cynthia Lummis sees frustration but insists on completing federal standards rather than abandoning the effort.
Senator Cynthia Lummis sees frustration but insists on completing federal standards rather than abandoning the effort.
This postponement impacts regulatory clarity sought by the cryptocurrency industry, affecting companies like Coinbase and market players in DeFi protocols. Tim Scott, Senate Banking Committee Chairman, remains optimistic about the ongoing discussions.
While the Act seeks to define the roles of the SEC and CFTC, Coinbase’s withdrawal indicates risks to the DeFi sector, highlighting expanded BSA/AML obligations and influencing financial and regulatory dynamics.
Concerns grow among industry executives about delays potentially weakening the U.S.’s global position. Andreessen Horowitz’s Chris Dixon argues maximum transparency is necessary to strengthen U.S. market leadership.
The Act aims to provide regulatory clarity, positioning the CFTC for oversight, with historical patterns from FTX influencing its direction. Critics stress the importance of robust protective measures to avoid similar high-profile failures.
