Introduction
US crypto regulation is moving into a critical phase. David Sacks, the White House’s AI and crypto czar, confirmed that a Senate markup for the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act will take place in January, bringing the long-anticipated crypto market structure bill one step closer to becoming law.
Clarity Act Markup Confirmed for January
David Sacks announced on X that Senate committee leaders have officially confirmed a January markup for the Clarity Act. According to Sacks, the confirmation came after a call with Senator Tim Scott, chair of the Senate Banking Committee, and Senator John Boozman, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
“We are closer than ever to passing the landmark crypto market structure legislation that President Trump has called for,” Sacks wrote, signaling growing momentum behind US crypto legislation.
What the Clarity Act Means for Crypto Regulation
The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act is a bipartisan bill designed to bring regulatory clarity to the US digital asset market. Its core goal is to clearly define regulatory jurisdiction between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
By establishing which agency oversees specific types of crypto assets, the bill aims to reduce uncertainty for crypto companies, investors, and developers operating in the United States. Regulatory clarity between the SEC and CFTC has long been a key demand from the crypto industry.
Strong Bipartisan Support in the House
The Clarity Act passed the House of Representatives in July with strong bipartisan backing. That vote marked a major milestone for US crypto regulation and positioned the bill for consideration in the Senate.
Sacks’ latest update confirms that the bill has now advanced to the Senate committee stage, where the Banking and Agriculture committees will review, amend, and vote on the legislation during the markup session.
What Happens During a Senate Markup
A Senate markup is a crucial step in the legislative process. During this session, committee members examine the bill line by line, propose amendments, and vote on whether it should advance to the full Senate floor.
If approved, the Clarity Act could move closer to a final Senate vote, bringing the US closer to a comprehensive crypto market structure framework.
Senate’s Own Crypto Market Structure Proposal
Alongside the House-passed Clarity Act, the Senate is also working on its own crypto market structure bill. The Senate proposal focuses on defining SEC and CFTC jurisdiction and introduces the concept of “ancillary assets” to clarify which cryptocurrencies should not be treated as securities.
At this stage, the Senate bill remains a discussion draft and has not yet advanced to formal markup.
Possible Merger of House and Senate Proposals
The January markup could become a turning point for US crypto regulation. Lawmakers may choose to merge elements of the House-passed Clarity Act with provisions from the Senate’s discussion drafts, creating a unified framework that addresses both regulatory oversight and asset classification.
If successful, this process could accelerate the passage of one of the most significant pieces of crypto legislation in US history.
Why This Matters for the Crypto Industry
Clear rules around SEC and CFTC oversight are seen as essential for fostering innovation, attracting investment, and keeping crypto companies operating within the US. The confirmed January markup signals that regulatory clarity for digital assets may finally be within reach.
As David Sacks put it, the US is now closer than ever to passing a comprehensive crypto market structure law.
