CLARITY Act Faces Challenges: Delays and Industry Opposition

MyShine January 15, 2026 2 min read

The CLARITY Act and Its Uncertain Future

The much-anticipated CLARITY Act, aimed at reshaping cryptocurrency market regulations, continues to face setbacks as the Senate Banking Committee delayed its vote. This decision has sparked industry-wide debate, putting the bill’s future into question.

Why Was the Vote Delayed?

The Senate Banking Committee postponed the vote following criticism from key players in the cryptocurrency industry. Notably, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong withdrew support for the bill’s current version, citing its potential to disrupt the market structure and create risks for tokenized equities, DeFi platforms, stablecoins, and open crypto markets. Armstrong’s stance raises significant concerns about the bill’s alignment with the needs of both investors and crypto firms.

In a statement, Armstrong argued, “The draft breaks key parts of market structure and jeopardizes innovation.” His comments underline growing tensions between regulators and the crypto community.

Industry and Political Reactions

Despite opposition from Coinbase, several other major industry stakeholders such as Circle, Ripple, Kraken, and a16z remain supportive of the bill. Non-profit organizations like The Digital Chamber and Coin Center have also shown their backing. However, friction persists around recent amendments favoring banks and traditional financial institutions. This has caused further dissatisfaction within the crypto space, particularly concerning stablecoin yield and tokenization frameworks.

From the political side, Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott expressed optimism, stating, “I’ve spoken with leaders across the crypto industry, the financial sector, and my Democratic and Republican colleagues, and everyone is still working in good faith.” However, Democrats have raised concerns regarding the lack of ethics provisions for senior officials and other regulatory loopholes related to national security.

What’s Next for the CLARITY Act?

Although initially expected to pass by March, the ongoing debates and amendments could push the timeline further into the year or indefinitely delay its progress. The outcome will likely hinge on whether compromises can be reached among stakeholders. Until then, the cryptocurrency industry remains in limbo, uncertain about its regulatory future.