El marco legal relacionado con las criptomonedas en los Estados Unidos avanza, ya que la Senата de EE. UU. ha programado el procedimiento para determinar la estructura del mercado.

The U.S. Senate Banking Committee has scheduled a markup session for the CLARITY Act on January 15, 2026. This step marks a critical moment in the legislative effort to define a regulatory framework for the digital asset market. The markup follows months of hearings and stakeholder consultations, with bipartisan support emerging as a key factor in the bill's progression according to reports.

The CLARITY Act seeks to clarify the legal classification of digital assets as either securities or commodities. This distinction is crucial in determining which regulatory body—either the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)—has oversight. The bill aims to resolve jurisdictional conflicts and create a unified approach to digital asset regulation as analysis indicates.

Market analysts and lawmakers emphasize that regulatory clarity is essential for the growth of the U.S. crypto industry. By setting clear rules, the legislation is expected to encourage institutional investment, protect retail investors, and prevent illicit activities. The U.S. government has also framed the bill as a means to retain innovation within American borders according to industry sources.

What Drives the Push for the CLARITY Act?

The need for a comprehensive regulatory framework has been highlighted by several high-profile events in the crypto space. The collapse of FTX in 2022 exposed significant gaps in consumer protection and market integrity. These events intensified congressional scrutiny and underscored the importance of a well-defined legal structure for the crypto industry as reported.

The U.S. government has also been influenced by global regulatory trends, such as the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. These developments have increased pressure on the U.S. to establish its own regulatory regime to remain competitive according to analysis.

How Could the CLARITY Act Impact the Market?

The passage of the CLARITY Act is expected to bring significant changes to the crypto market. Clear regulatory boundaries could encourage established financial institutions to enter the space, confident in a defined legal environment. This shift may lead to increased market activity and greater participation from mainstream investors according to market forecasts.

Additionally, the bill could reshape the landscape for crypto exchanges and service providers. The distinction between securities and commodities will determine which compliance standards apply, potentially leading to a reshuffling of trading platforms and service providers as industry sources indicate.

What Are the Key Sticking Points in Negotiations?

Despite the progress, negotiations between Senate Republicans and Democrats have revealed significant differences. Republicans have pushed for a faster timeline, aiming to secure a markup before a critical January 30 federal spending deadline. Democrats, however, have requested additional provisions, including robust ethics rules and stricter oversight of stablecoins according to congressional reports.

The issue of DeFi oversight has also emerged as a major point of contention. Democrats have proposed mandates for DeFi interfaces to include front-end sanctions compliance and increased regulatory authority for the Treasury Department. These proposals could significantly alter the operational dynamics of DeFi platforms according to crypto industry analysis.

What Are the Next Steps for the CLARITY Act?

Following the markup session on January 15, the bill will need to pass both the Senate Banking and Agriculture Committees. If successful, a reconciliation process will merge the two committee versions into a single bill before it is sent to the full Senate for a vote. The bill will then require a conference committee with the House of Representatives to finalize a compromise version as outlined in legislative analysis.

The ultimate goal is for the CLARITY Act to pass both chambers and be signed into law by the President. The timeline for this process remains uncertain, but the markup represents a decisive step toward a comprehensive regulatory framework for the U.S. crypto industry according to industry experts.

What Do Industry Stakeholders Say?

Industry stakeholders have expressed cautious optimism about the CLARITY Act. Major crypto firms and advocacy groups argue that clear regulatory rules are necessary to foster innovation and attract investment. However, some industry representatives have raised concerns about the potential for overregulation, particularly in the DeFi sector according to market analysis.

The U.S. banking sector has also weighed in on the debate. Some banks have characterized the allowance of yield-bearing stablecoins as an "extinction-level event," arguing that such mechanisms could undermine traditional deposit models. Crypto firms, however, have countered that these concerns are largely driven by protectionist motives as reported by industry sources.