CLARITY Act Poised to Reshape U.S. Crypto Regulation by 2026

Washington's regulatory fog is finally lifting. The CLARITY Act isn't just another bill—it's a potential watershed moment for digital assets in America, set to take full effect in 2026.

The Regulatory Roadmap

The legislation carves out definitive roles for the SEC and CFTC, ending the jurisdictional tug-of-war that's left projects in legal limbo. It draws clear lines between securities and commodities, a move that could unlock billions in institutional capital currently sitting on the sidelines. The framework mandates specific disclosure regimes, but cuts the red tape that strangles genuine innovation.

Industry Impact & The Countdown Begins

For exchanges and token issuers, the rules of the game are about to be written in permanent ink. The 2026 timeline isn't an arbitrary date—it's a runway for compliance, a deadline for adaptation, and a starting gun for the next phase of crypto growth in the U.S. market. It bypasses the current state-by-state patchwork, aiming for a cohesive national strategy.

The final implementation will test whether thoughtful regulation can coexist with a decentralized ethos—or if it just creates a new playbook for the usual Wall Street players to dominate, just with fancier technology. The clock is ticking.

In Brief

• The CLARITY Act, a highly anticipated American bill, will be reviewed by the Senate in January 2026.
• Announced by David Sacks, crypto advisor at the White House, this law aims to clarify the regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies.
• The text plans to define the legal nature of cryptocurrencies: securities or commodities.
• It also intends to allocate roles between the SEC and the CFTC, two regulators competing on the matter.

A Law to Remove Cryptos from Regulatory Ambiguity

While Michael Saylor calls for an urgent classification of cryptos in the United States, the CLARITY Act (Digital Asset Market Clarity Act), a long-awaited bill by the American crypto industry, finally enters its decisive phase.

It is David Sacks, in charge of crypto affairs at the White House, who confirmed the information in a post published Thursday on X : “we are closer than ever to passing the historic law on the structure of the crypto market that President Trump wished for. We look forward to completing the work in January!“.

According to him, the heads of the two relevant Senate committees, Tim Scott (Banking Committee) and John Boozman (Agriculture Committee), have given the green light for the text to be submitted for a session of review and amendment in the Senate starting next month. This key step will allow parliamentarians to debate, adjust, and amend the text before a plenary session vote.

The content of this law is at the heart of ecosystem concerns. It aims to :

• Legally define which cryptos are considered “securities” and which are classified as “commodities” ;

• Clarify the distribution of responsibilities between the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and the CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) ;

• Establish clear regulatory pathways for crypto businesses to facilitate their compliance with federal regulations ;

• Reduce regulatory uncertainty, often cited as a barrier to innovation ;
• Strengthen investor protection by establishing a more robust and coherent legal framework.

According to its supporters, this text is a direct response to repeated industry demands for clear, predictable, and uniformly applied regulation. The Senate vote could mark a historic turning point for the future of cryptocurrencies in the United States.

A Disrupted Schedule and a Major Political Issue

While the announcement of this Senate review is seen as a major breakthrough, it takes place in a context marked by delays and political tensions.

Senator Cynthia Lummis had, as early as September, expressed hope that the bill WOULD reach President Donald Trump’s desk before the end of this year. This goal will not be met due to the 43-day shutdown that paralyzed the federal administration between October and November.

During this period, legislative exchanges were suspended, significantly slowing the process. Nevertheless, regulators did not remain inactive. Meetings took place between federal officials and leaders of companies like Coinbase, Ripple, or Circle to avoid losing momentum around the project.

The path ahead looks delicate. To be adopted, the text will need to secure a supermajority in the Senate, a sine qua non condition to avoid deadlock. The role of committee chairs, Scott and Boozman, will be crucial to gather the necessary votes. If amendments are integrated, the bill must return to the House of Representatives for final approval before being sent to the WHITE House.

With the CLARITY Act, the Senate continues the effort started with the Genius Act, already adopted. The American legislative arsenal around cryptos is taking shape, promising a clearer framework for sector players and a strategic turning point for the digital ecosystem in the United States.

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