- Senate Agriculture Committee advances Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act 12–11, marking the first crypto market bill approval in the Senate.
- President Trump signed the GENIUS Act in July 2025, regulating stablecoin issuers and reserve requirements in the U.S.
- Full Senate vote on the crypto market structure bill, also called CLARITY Act or FIT21, is expected in late Feb or March 2026.
The crypto market structure bill remains under review as Senate committees continue legislative work. President Trump expressed intent to sign the legislation soon.
Senate Progress on Crypto Market Structure Bill
The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced its version of the crypto market structure bill on January 29, 2026. The vote was 12–11 along party lines, marking a critical step forward.
The Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act represents the first Senate committee approval for such legislation.
The bill now requires review by the Senate Banking Committee before consolidation with the Agriculture Committee’s version. The Banking Committee recently delayed its markup to focus on housing initiatives.
Once reconciled, the combined bill will move to the full Senate. Industry experts anticipate the full Senate may vote on the legislation in late February or March 2026.
The legislative process continues to shape the framework for digital asset regulation in the United States.
GENIUS Act: Previous Stablecoin Legislation
President Trump signed the GENIUS Act in July 2025, targeting stablecoin regulation. The law established standards for reserve requirements and issuer compliance.
It was the first major U.S. legislation addressing digital assets. The GENIUS Act provides clarity for stablecoin issuers and mitigates potential legal uncertainty.
This separate law laid the groundwork for broader crypto market structure legislation. Financial institutions welcomed the GENIUS Act for defining operational standards.
The signing of the GENIUS Act sometimes creates confusion about a “current signing.” While Trump hopes to sign the broader bill soon, no official signing date exists for the CLARITY Act or FIT21.
Goals of the CLARITY Act/FIT21
The crypto market structure bill aims to clearly delineate responsibilities between the SEC and CFTC. The SEC would oversee digital asset securities, while the CFTC regulates digital commodities like Bitcoin.
This separation ensures firms can comply with a defined framework. The legislation also establishes registration and disclosure requirements for exchanges, brokers, and dealers.
Federal standards are expected to reduce operational uncertainty for digital asset firms. Traders and investors will benefit from the clarity provided. President Trump reiterated support for the bill at the World Economic Forum earlier this month.
He emphasized making the United States a global leader in cryptocurrency innovation. Industry participants continue to monitor committee activity and expected Senate votes closely.
