Published & Updated: January 16, 2026 | Tapbit Regulatory News
The U.S. Senate Banking Committee has postponed the long-awaited markup vote on the comprehensive crypto market structure legislation (CLARITY Act successor), originally scheduled for mid-January 2026. The delay — attributed to last-minute bipartisan negotiations over DeFi provisions and stablecoin yield rules — caused Bitcoin futures to pull back slightly after touching a two-month high above $98,000 earlier this week. This update covers the current status, reasons for the postponement, immediate market reaction, and what traders should expect next.
Current Status of the Crypto Market Structure Bill (Jan 16, 2026)
| Item | Status / Details |
|---|---|
| Bill Name | Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY successor draft) |
| Committee | Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs |
| Original Markup Date | Mid-January 2026 (exact date was Jan 13–15 window) |
| New Expected Timeline | Late January to early February 2026 (pending amendments) |
| Main Controversy Points | DeFi classification, stablecoin yield caps, tokenized asset restrictions |
| Bipartisan Support Level | Still strong but requires final tweaks for 60-vote threshold |
Why the Senate Banking Committee Delayed the Vote
Committee leadership cited the need for additional time to address several bracketed issues:
- Scope of DeFi regulation — concerns that overly broad language could stifle innovation
- Stablecoin yield-bearing restrictions — debate over whether caps would harm U.S. competitiveness
- Tokenized real-world assets — clarifying treatment of RWAs to avoid conflicting with existing securities laws
- AML/KYC burden on decentralized protocols — balancing compliance with decentralization principles
Sources close to the committee indicate that both Republican and Democratic staff are working on compromise language, with a new markup date likely within the next 2–4 weeks.
Bitcoin Futures Market Reaction to the Delay
| Metric | Value (Jan 15–16, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Spot BTC Price | ~$95,200 – $95,800 |
| CME Bitcoin Futures (Feb contract) | ~$95,400 (–0.8% from two-month high) |
| 24h Futures Volume Change | +18% (short covering + new longs) |
| Open Interest | +12% week-over-week |
The dip was mild and quickly bought — classic “sell the rumor, buy the news delay” pattern common in regulatory events.
Technical Levels to Watch on Bitcoin After the Delay
- Current Range: $94,800 – $96,200
- Immediate Support: $94,500 (prior breakout) → $93,000 (50-day EMA)
- Strong Support Zone: $91,000 – $92,000 (November swing low)
- Key Resistance: $97,000 (recent high) → $98,500–$100,000 (psychological)
- Upside Target (if resolved positively): $101,000 – $105,000
- RSI (4h): ~64 (bullish momentum intact)
Most probable path: Sideways grind $94k–$97k until new markup date → potential breakout on positive amendments.
2026 Regulatory Outlook After the Delay
Optimistic Scenario:
- Compromise language softens DeFi/stablecoin restrictions
- Bill passes committee late January → floor vote Q1
- Clear commodity status for major Layer-1s → altcoin unlock
Realistic/Base Case:
- Further amendments needed → markup rescheduled to February
- Final passage mid-2026 → gradual institutional onboarding
Pessimistic Scenario:
- Hardline stance prevails → bill stalls or significantly watered down
- Continued uncertainty → sideways BTC range $90k–$100k
How to Trade the Regulatory Delay Volatility on Tapbit
- Create your Tapbit account (0% maker fees)
- Deposit USDT (recommended base pair)
- Monitor BTC/USDT futures for $97k breakout or $94.5k support
- Use limit orders + trailing stops in the current range
- Trade volatility with up to 125x leverage (risk only 1–2% per position)
Conclusion
The Senate Banking Committee’s delay of the crypto market structure vote introduces short-term uncertainty but does not derail the overall pro-crypto momentum in Washington. Bitcoin futures’ mild pullback after the $98,000 two-month high reflects healthy profit-taking rather than panic. With the markup likely rescheduled for late January or early February, the next 2–4 weeks will remain choppy around $94k–$97k. Stay nimble and monitor committee statements closely.
Trade BTC regulatory news & range volatility on Tapbit:
- Sign Up on Tapbit (0% maker fees)
- Login & Deposit
- Live BTC Price & Charts
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment or trading advice. Cryptocurrency and futures markets are highly volatile and subject to regulatory developments.
