CLARITY Act Update: Coinbase Says U.S. Crypto Regulation Momentum Remains Strong

The long-anticipated U.S. CLARITY Act may be moving more slowly than the crypto industry would like, but insiders say momentum is still firmly intact. Coinbase’s Head of Institutional Strategy, John D’Agostino, recently pushed back against concerns of stagnation, stressing that the bill’s pace reflects its importance. Designed as a foundational market-structure framework, CLARITY is meant to define how digital assets are regulated across the U.S., making it far more complex than earlier crypto legislation.

Why the Bill Is Taking Longer Than Expected

D’Agostino acknowledged growing impatience across the industry but argued that rushing a bill of this scale would do more harm than good. Unlike targeted crypto laws, CLARITY aims to establish clear boundaries between regulators, asset classes, and platforms. That level of coordination, he explained, naturally demands more debate and refinement. From Coinbase’s perspective, lawmakers are laying the groundwork for long-term growth rather than chasing quick political wins.

Global Regulation Is Raising the Stakes

Pressure on U.S. lawmakers is also coming from abroad. Countries across Europe are accelerating crypto regulation, with nations like Spain already implementing rules aligned with the EU’s MiCA framework. D’Agostino warned that the U.S. risks falling behind if it fails to act decisively. Much like artificial intelligence, blockchain is viewed as a transformational technology, and regulatory clarity is increasingly seen as a competitive necessity rather than a constraint.

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Institutions Look Past 2025 Toward a Strong Rebound

While regulation remains a focal point, market outlooks are turning increasingly optimistic. According to analysts at Bull Theory, traditional assets significantly outperformed crypto in 2025. Silver surged roughly 160%, while gold climbed about 66%. Bitcoin, by contrast, ended the year down around 5%, despite strong ETF inflows, steady institutional buying, and ongoing accumulation by major firms.

Historically, periods where crypto lags despite ample liquidity tend to precede sharp catch-up rallies. That pattern is shaping institutional expectations for 2026.

Big Price Targets for Bitcoin and Ethereum

Major financial institutions are already placing bold bets. Standard Chartered sees Bitcoin reaching $150,000 by the end of 2026, while JPMorgan is even more aggressive with a $170,000 target. Citi’s base case sits near $143,000, with a bullish scenario extending toward $189,000. ARK Invest’s Cathie Wood remains the most optimistic, outlining a long-term vision where Bitcoin could eventually reach $500,000 if institutional adoption accelerates.

Ethereum is also drawing attention. Fundstrat’s Tom Lee expects ETH to trade between $7,000 and $9,000 by early 2026, driven largely by real-world asset tokenization.

With a crucial Senate session scheduled for January 15, many see 2026 as a turning point. If CLARITY advances as expected, regulatory certainty could align with rising institutional confidence, setting the stage for crypto’s next major growth cycle.

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