Published & Updated: January 27, 2026
The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry has rescheduled the markup session for its landmark crypto market structure legislation to Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 10:30 AM ET. The postponement from the original January 27 date was attributed to severe weather in Washington, D.C., but also reflects ongoing behind-the-scenes negotiations with Democrats, led by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), who have expressed renewed willingness to rejoin talks and propose amendments for a more bipartisan final text. The updated Republican-led draft, titled the “Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act,” was released on January 21 and expands CFTC oversight of non-security digital commodities while clarifying boundaries with the SEC. This development signals the strongest bipartisan momentum for crypto legislation since the GENIUS Act passed in July 2025, with passage now viewed as highly likely in Q1 2026. This article covers the timeline, key provisions, Democratic amendments, institutional implications, and how traders on Tapbit can position for the regulatory clarity wave.
Bill Progress & Timeline – From Draft to Markup
| Milestone | Date | Status | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Updated Draft Release (“Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act”) | January 21, 2026 | Completed | Republican-led; expands CFTC spot authority for digital commodities |
| Original Markup Session | January 27, 2026 | Postponed | Weather-related delay + Democratic amendment negotiations |
| New Markup Session | January 29, 2026 – 10:30 AM ET | Pending | Democrats to submit amendments for bipartisan text |
| Senate Banking Committee Reconciliation | Expected February 2026 | Anticipated | Harmonization with stablecoin & custody provisions |
| Full Senate Vote | Q1 2026 (likely March–April) | High probability | White House Crypto Czar David Sacks calls passage “inevitable” |
What the Updated Bill Covers – Core Provisions
The revised draft released January 21 significantly expands CFTC jurisdiction while addressing Democratic concerns:
- Digital Commodity Definition: Non-security tokens meeting decentralization & functionality criteria fall under CFTC spot oversight
- “Mature Blockchain” Test: Removes SEC registration for tokens on sufficiently decentralized networks
- Intermediary Licensing: New category for digital commodity brokers & dealers with tailored compliance rules
- Stablecoin Carve-Outs: Defers to GENIUS Act framework for yield-bearing stablecoins; clarifies non-security status
- Innovation Exemptions: SEC/CFTC joint safe harbor for certain DeFi & tokenized asset pilots
Sen. Gillibrand and Democratic aides indicate willingness to negotiate on remaining disputes — particularly stablecoin yield limits and SEC enforcement discretion — with amendments expected before Thursday’s markup.
Bipartisan Turnaround Drivers – Why Democrats Are Reengaging
Democrats were initially sidelined by the GOP’s unilateral draft but are now signaling return to the table for several reasons:
- Avoid partisan gridlock: A purely Republican bill faces filibuster risk; bipartisan text improves Senate passage odds
- CFTC Chair Michael Selig’s review: “Future-Proof” rulemaking initiative emphasizes harmonization with SEC
- White House pressure: Crypto Czar David Sacks has privately urged quick resolution, calling passage “inevitable”
- Industry lobbying: Coinbase, Ripple, Circle, and trade groups have pushed for compromise language
Aides close to the negotiations indicate optimism that key disputes (yield-bearing stablecoins, enforcement discretion) could be resolved within weeks, paving the way for committee approval by early February.
Institutional & Market Impacts – What Passage Would Mean
Clear CFTC authority for non-security tokens and reduced SEC enforcement risk could unlock billions in institutional flows:
- ETF expansion: Altcoin ETFs (SOL, XRP, ADA) become feasible post-Clarity Act
- DeFi & RWA growth: Tokenized credit & insurance markets accelerate under lighter regulatory burden
- Volume rotation: Compliant U.S. exchanges (including Tapbit) see 20–30% volume spikes
- Treasury Bitcoin reserve: No more sales policy reinforces U.S. as “crypto capital”
Tapbit traders benefit immediately: **0% maker fees** on BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, SOL/USDT spot pairs, **125x leverage** on perpetuals, and fast fiat ramps position the platform to capture regulatory-driven inflows and volatility.
Trading Strategies & Positioning on Tapbit Ahead of Jan 29 Markup
- Create your Tapbit account (0% maker fees)
- Deposit USDT or fiat via bank transfer
- Regulatory momentum play: Long BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT perpetuals on positive markup news (20–50x leverage, isolated margin)
- Altcoin proxy rotation: Accumulate SOL/USDT or XRP/USDT on dips ahead of potential ETF clarity
- Volatility hedge: Long XAU/USDT perpetuals if markup delays trigger risk-off flows
- Risk control: Max 1–2% account risk per trade; trailing stops mandatory
Conclusion & Near-Term Outlook
The rescheduling of the crypto market structure bill markup to January 29, 2026, marks the strongest bipartisan momentum since the GENIUS Act passed last summer. With Democrats now willing to negotiate amendments and Republicans releasing a more balanced draft, passage in Q1 2026 appears increasingly likely. The legislation would clarify CFTC/SEC jurisdiction, reduce enforcement overhang, and unlock billions in institutional flows — benefiting compliant platforms like Tapbit.
Trade the crypto regulatory wave on Tapbit:
- Sign Up on Tapbit (0% spot trading fees)
- Login & Deposit
- Live BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT & SOL/USDT Charts
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risk of loss. Regulatory outcomes are uncertain and subject to change. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice. Always conduct your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose completely.
