US Senate to Vote on CLARITY Act on January 15: What It Means for Crypto

The US Senate Banking Committee is preparing to vote on the CLARITY Act on January 15, a bill that could finally fix long-standing crypto regulations. If it passes, market manipulation could drop 70–80%, and big institutional money may flow in faster in 2026.

US Senate Set to Vote on CLARITY Act for Crypto Regulation

According to the official notice circulated by Senate Banking Committee Republicans, the committee will hold a crypto market structure markup on January 15 at 10:00 AM ET. 

The vote will use the House-approved CLARITY Act as the base text, following months of bipartisan talks in the Senate.

If approved by the committee, the bill will move to a full Senate vote, then return to the House for final approval, and eventually reach President Trump’s desk.

This means the CLARITY Act could be signed into law by March 2026. 

What the Vote Statistics Suggest?

The real test will be whether both Republicans and Democrats support the bill in next week’s committee vote. The Senate needs 60 votes to move the bill forward, but the chamber is split 53–47, meaning Republicans must secure support from at least 7 Democrats. 

According to Alex Thorn, Galaxy investment firm head of research, a strong sign would be all Republican members voting yes, along with 2–4 Democratic votes in committee. If that happens, the final Senate vote could reach 65–70 approvals, similar to past bipartisan crypto bills.

A strong bipartisan vote, similar to past Genius ACT, would greatly improve the bill’s chances. Without it, the path for approval in 2026 becomes much harder

Why Crypto Traders See the CLARITY Act as Bullish

If the CLARITY Act gets passed, popular crypto trader Crypto Rover believes the CLARITY Act could prevent sudden market crashes like the one seen last October, when nearly $19 billion was wiped out. 

Supporters estimate that clearer rules could cut market manipulation by 70% to 80%, making price action more stable and predictable.

The bill aims to reduce regulatory confusion and bring crypto trading closer to traditional financial market standards.

What Happens If the CLARITY Act Fails

If the CLARITY Act does not pass the committee vote, the long-term impact on crypto may be limited. However, analysts warn that short-term market sentiment could take a hit. 

With the 2026 US midterm elections approaching, a failed vote could delay another attempt for months or even years.