U.S. lawmakers are moving closer to rewriting the rules for digital assets as a key Senate panel advances sweeping market structure legislation aimed at regulatory clarity, investor protection, and keeping crypto innovation and jobs anchored in America.
Senate Banking Committee Sets Crypto Market Structure Markup to Advance US Innovation Goals
Legislative momentum around U.S. digital asset policy continues to build. The Senate Banking Committee, a congressional panel overseeing financial markets and institutions, announced on Jan. 9, 2026, that it will hold a markup on comprehensive digital asset market structure legislation on Jan. 15, 2026, advancing the bill toward formal consideration.
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott stated:
This legislation is about making America the crypto capital of the world – so the next generation of jobs and innovation is built here, not overseas.
“When we set clear rules, we give entrepreneurs the confidence to start companies, hire workers, and grow right here in the United States,” the lawmaker added.
He emphasized that the proposal seeks to balance innovation with safeguards, explaining that clearer regulatory expectations would also make it more difficult for criminals and foreign adversaries to exploit emerging technology while reinforcing the stability of the U.S. financial system.
In this announcement, Chairman Scott is referring to the Senate’s finalization of a comprehensive regulatory framework that builds upon the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 (commonly known as the CLARITY Act, H.R. 3633), which passed the House with significant bipartisan support in July 2025. While the House bill centered on expanding Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) authority and identifying “mature” blockchains, Senator Scott’s framework merges those concepts with the Responsible Financial Innovation Act (RFIA) to form a cohesive Senate version.
Read more: Senators Confirm CLARITY Act January Markup as Crypto Market Structure Framework Advances
The planned markup follows a multistep legislative effort. Committee Republicans, led by Scott, released market structure principles in June 2025 focused on investor protection, domestic innovation, and national security, followed by hearings examining regulatory gaps and jurisdictional issues with regulators, academics, and industry participants. Scott issued an initial discussion draft and a Request for Information in July 2025, gathering feedback from dozens of stakeholders. That input shaped revisions included in a second discussion draft released in September 2025.
By moving to a markup on Jan. 15, the Senate Banking Committee is attempting to codify the legal distinction between digital securities and digital commodities, effectively ending the era of “regulation by enforcement” and establishing the statutory “rules of the road” that the CLARITY Act first introduced to provide certainty for American entrepreneurs and investors.
FAQ ⏰
- When will the Senate Banking Committee markup the digital asset bill?
The committee is scheduled to hold a markup on Jan. 15, 2026. - What is the goal of the digital asset market structure legislation?
The bill aims to establish clear regulatory rules while promoting U.S.-based crypto innovation. - Who is leading the effort in the Senate Banking Committee?
Chairman Tim Scott is spearheading the legislation and negotiations. - Why do supporters say regulatory clarity matters for crypto?
They argue clear rules can attract capital, protect investors, and keep digital asset jobs in the U.S.