Crypto Market Structure Bill Update: January Markup Confirmed by White House
The long-awaited U.S. crypto market structure bill, known as the CLARITY Act, is moving closer to legislative action. According to David Sacks, the White House’s AI and Crypto Czar, a formal markup is now scheduled for January, signaling renewed momentum after months of delays.
January Markup Brings Regulatory Progress
In a recent post on X, Sacks confirmed discussions with Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott, noting that lawmakers are preparing to advance the bill to its next stage. The CLARITY Act is designed to finally define how U.S. regulators oversee digital asset markets, addressing long-standing uncertainty for crypto companies and investors.
Key Framework of the CLARITY Act
The bill proposes a structured classification system for digital assets:
Digital commodities regulated by the CFTC
Investment contract assets overseen by the SEC
Permitted stablecoins under a defined regulatory framework
Additionally, the legislation would:
Require crypto exchange registration
Establish Qualified Digital Asset Custodians (QDACs) with strict private-key controls
Introduce standardized AML and KYC requirements
Clearly separate regulatory responsibilities between the SEC and CFTC
Why It Matters for Crypto Markets
Regulatory ambiguity has been a major barrier to institutional adoption in the U.S. A finalized market structure bill could:
Improve compliance clarity
Reduce enforcement-driven regulation
Encourage long-term capital inflows into crypto markets
Delays Still in Focus
Despite progress, the bill previously stalled due to a prolonged U.S. government shutdown and ongoing bipartisan negotiations. January’s markup, however, suggests lawmakers are now aligned on moving forward.
