Publication date: January 15, 2026

The Clarity Act was high on the agenda in the United States today, but was ultimately not put to a vote. This caused disappointment and new uncertainty within the crypto market, where investors and companies have been waiting for clear rules of the game for some time. The law is seen as an important step toward more structure and legal certainty for crypto in the US. Precisely the delay makes clear how sensitive this file is in politics.

What is the Clarity Act?

The Clarity Act is a bill designed to clarify the legal status of digital assets such as cryptocurrencies. The key question is whether a crypto is considered a security or a commodity. Simply put: a security is subject to stricter financial rules, while a commodity involves other regulators.

As it stands, powers of the SEC and the CFTC regularly intertwine, leading to ambiguity, litigation and reluctance in projects. The Clarity Act aims to solve this by establishing clear criteria and sharpening the roles of regulators.

Why is this law so important for crypto?

For many crypto companies, current regulations are a drag on innovation. Projects often do not know in advance whether their token will later be labeled illegal, which slows investment and development. With the Clarity Act, there would be more predictability. This is especially important for institutional parties, who will not step in on a larger scale until the legal framework is clear and stable. It would also give existing projects more room to operate within clear rules.

The discussion surrounding the Clarity Act is being actively followed and influenced by major industry players. For example, Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, has repeatedly spoken out about the importance of clear and workable regulations in the US. Coinbase has been directly involved in multiple legal proceedings with regulators, making it one of the most important practical examples of the current uncertainty. Armstrong advocates for the United States to quickly establish clear rules of the game to prevent innovation and capital from moving further to regions with a clearer regulatory framework.

Why didn't the Clarity Act pass today?

The delay has less to do with a lack of support for the idea and more to do with the substantive and political sensitivity of the bill. Within the U.S. Congress, there are still firm disagreements over the exact details. Some members of Congress believe that the law leaves too much room for commercial interests within the crypto sector and offers insufficient guarantees of consumer protection. Others fear that rules that are too strict will inhibit innovation and put the U.S. at a disadvantage compared to other regions.

In addition, timing played an important role. The Clarity Act is a complex bill with major implications for financial markets and regulators. Some members of Congress indicated they needed more time for adjustments and internal fine-tuning, so there was insufficient support today to bring the bill to a vote.

When will there be clarity?

At this time, no new date has been set for a next session or vote. What is clear, however, is that the proposal is not off the table. In the coming weeks and months, negotiations will continue on possible adjustments to gather more political support. This is not an unusual process in Washington, especially with legislation that affects an entire industry. For crypto investors, this means that clarity is getting closer, but probably in steps and with a delay.

What does this delay mean for the market?

For the short term, uncertainty remains, which may cause investor and business reluctance. At the same time, the debate shows that crypto is now being taken seriously within the political and financial system. The fact that the Clarity Act is discussed extensively underscores that regulation is no longer a question of if, but when and how.

Conclusion

The delay of the Clarity Act underscores how complex and sensitive the regulation of crypto in the United States still is. While the law is seen as a necessary step toward clarity and legal certainty, the political process shows that consensus on it takes time. For the market, this means that the current uncertainty persists for now.

At the same time, the debate itself is an important signal. Crypto is no longer a fringe phenomenon, but a structural part of the financial system that requires clear rules. That the Clarity Act was not voted down but merely postponed indicates that the direction is fixed, even if the pace is slower than hoped. For investors and companies, it remains important to keep in mind a phased development of regulations, in which progress comes about step by step.

Disclaimer: Investing involves risk. Our analysts are not financial advisors. Always consult an advisor when making financial decisions. The information and tips provided on this website are based on our analysts' own insights and experiences. They are therefore for educational purposes only.