The US Senate Banking Committee is reportedly preparing to move on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, with a markup session that could start within days and a formal committee vote possible next Thursday. That timeline has drawn fresh attention across Bitcoin and digital asset markets, where traders are watching Washington for the next clear signal.
Committee review could begin within days
Recent reports say the Senate Banking Committee is lining up a markup session for the CLARITY Act 2026. Sources cited in the coverage said the process could begin as early as tomorrow. Journalist Eleanor Terrett reported that draft legislative text has already been circulated to selected industry participants, although officials are still revising parts of the bill before final review.
A White House reporter also said an official markup is being prepared. Bitcoin historian Pete Rizzo posted similar claims on X. Taken together, those updates have fueled expectations that Senate action on crypto market structure may arrive sooner than many market participants had assumed.
Bill would divide tokens between SEC and CFTC oversight
The measure passed the House in July 2025 with broad bipartisan support. Its central purpose is to classify digital assets as either securities or commodities, a distinction that would determine whether a token falls under the SEC or the CFTC. For exchanges, investors, and blockchain firms, that line matters because it shapes listing standards, fundraising options, and compliance obligations in the United States.
Stablecoin provisions and protections for DeFi are also part of the negotiations. Those sections are still being discussed, and unresolved language has created concern among some industry stakeholders. The remaining edits suggest lawmakers are still trying to settle the most sensitive parts of the package before it reaches a final committee stage.
Political pressure builds around the Senate timeline
Senator Tim Scott has reportedly pressed for faster movement in the Senate and backed a May schedule for markup discussions. Senator Cynthia Lummis has also supported clearer crypto rules. The White House, according to the report, wants the bill passed by July 4, adding more urgency to a debate that has become central to US digital asset policy.
Even with momentum building, the bill still faces a high bar in the Senate. It needs 60 votes to pass, which means bipartisan backing remains necessary. The calendar may be tightening, but the political math is still difficult.
Markets are focused on legal certainty, not just price action
For market participants, the appeal of the bill is straightforward: clearer rules. Under the proposal, many tokens could be treated as commodities, while others would remain subject to securities law depending on their structure. That distinction could change how crypto projects operate and raise capital in the US.
Coinbase Vice President Kara Calvert said uncertainty in tax policy remains a major obstacle for the industry, while adding that she is optimistic about progress on crypto tax reform in 2026. As the expected vote window gets closer, market sentiment has improved, but unresolved sections of the bill could still slow final approval and keep short-term volatility in play.