The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have announced a joint event on the future of crypto oversight amid the Trump administration’s push to welcome the sector.

SEC-CFTC Push Joint Crypto Oversight

On Thursday, SEC Chairman Paul Atking and CFTC Chairman Michael Selig announced they will hold an event next week to discuss regulatory harmonization between the two sister agencies.

According to the announcement, the pro-industry chairmen will outline the efforts to work together and cooperate to “deliver on President Trump’s promise to make the United States the crypto capital of the world.”

The event will be hosted on January 27 at the CFTC headquarters and moderated by crypto journalist Eleanor Terret. Additionally, it will be open to the public and livestreamed on both agencies’ websites.

“For too long, market participants have been forced to navigate regulatory boundaries that are unclear in application and misaligned in design, based solely on legacy jurisdictional silos,” said SEC Chair Atkins and CFTC Chair Selig in a joint statement.

“This event will build on our broader harmonization efforts to ensure that innovation takes root on American soil, under American law, and in service of American investors, consumers, and economic leadership,” they added.

Last year, the SEC and CFTC began discussing their options for effectively collaborating on crypto regulations, as a clear framework for digital assets became a top priority for the agencies

As reported by Bitcoinist, the agencies explored reinstating the CFTC-SEC joint advisory committee to develop recommendations on ongoing issues, including efforts in regulatory coordination.

During a September joint roundtable between the two agencies, Atking declared that the era of regulatory fragmentation was ending and the age of harmonized, innovation-friendly crypto oversight was here:

 We are at a crossroads. If we follow the path of our predecessors, America risks ceding leadership in the next chapter of financial history. (…) This ends now (…) our two agencies must work in lockstep to transform dual regulation from a source of confusion into a source of strength. Together, we can offer the best of both worlds: the investor protections that have defined U.S. markets, combined with the innovation-friendly approach that will keep us at the frontier of financial technology throughout the 21st century.

The SEC’s Director of the Division of Trading and Markets, Jamie Selway, highlighted the SEC’s efforts to “further harmonize its rules with our sister regulator, the CFTC. In a January 22 speech, He affirmed that the Division will work shoulder-to-shoulder with the CFTC staff to ensure the US’s continued leadership in financial markets, following Atkins’ September directions.

Congress Regulatory Efforts Stall

The SEC and CFTC’s efforts to regulate the crypto market come as the US Congress struggles to establish a framework to oversee the sector. The Senate Banking Committee’s version of the market structure bill, which focuses on the SEC’s oversight, was delayed after multiple market participants criticized the bill’s draft.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong shared his disappointment with the crypto legislation, withdrawing the company’s support last week. “This version would be materially worse than the current status quo. We’d rather have no bill than a bad bill,” he affirmed.

The Senate Agriculture Committee published its version of the CLARITY Act on Thursday, which mainly addresses the CFTC’s role and regulations, scheduling its markup session for January 27.

Eleanor Terret shared that the industry’s reaction has been mostly positive, “with stakeholders noting the bill’s close similarities to the House Agriculture Committee’s version of the Clarity Act.”

However, recent reports have warned that the Banking Committee’s crypto talks may not resume until later February or early March, as focus shifts to advancing affordable housing plans linked to President Trump’s priorities.

Following the unsuccessful markup of the long-awaited crypto market Structure bill (CLARITY Act) by the Senate Banking Committee, the Senate Agriculture Committee unveiled a new draft of the bill, with a scheduled markup session for Tuesday, January 27.

Stablecoin Yield Regulations Excluded

The Agriculture Committee’s version of the bill primarily addresses regulations under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which would gain expanded authority to regulate cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). 

In contrast, the Senate Banking Committee’s section of the legislation focuses on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and its oversight. Notably, the Agriculture draft allocates $150 million to support the CFTC in the implementation of the proposed law.

Market expert James Murphy reviewed the key provisions of the new draft and expressed optimism about its implications. He highlighted that the bill creates a pathway for decentralized finance (DeFi) to avoid CFTC regulation, providing important protections for developers and specific service providers from liability. 

The Senate Agriculture Committee’s draft also excludes any regulations concerning stablecoin yields. This decision is significant, particularly as it addresses a critical provision that resulted in Coinbase (COIN) withdrawing its support for the Banking Committee’s version of the bill last week. 

The Banking Committee’s version of the CLARITY Act aims to limit the yield that stablecoin platforms can offer. While banks support this approach due to concerns about deposits potentially flowing out, crypto firms oppose it, arguing that such restrictions hinder competition. 

In contrast, the Agriculture Committee bill seeks to exempt stablecoins from CFTC regulations and relies on existing frameworks like the already passed stablecoin bill, or GENIUS Act, which mandates that stablecoins be fully backed.

Banking Committee Delays Crypto Bill’s Consideration

Senate Agriculture Chair John Boozman expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts among lawmakers, particularly mentioning Senator Cory Booker and his staff for their contributions to consumer protections and CFTC authority. 

Despite the remaining differences in fundamental policy issues with its Democratic counterpart, the Committee’s chair emphasized the importance of moving the bill forward:

While it’s unfortunate that we couldn’t reach an agreement, I am grateful for the collaboration that has made this legislation better. It’s time we move this bill, and I look forward to the markup next week. 

But amid the broader cryptocurrency industry’s optimism surrounding the Agriculture Committee’s version of the market structure bill, the timeline for advancing the overall legislation remains uncertain. 

Bloomberg reported that the Senate Banking Committee is expected to delay consideration of its own portion of the bill, which could push discussions into late February or even March.

Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com 

The Senate Agriculture Committee has released updated crypto market structure legislation and scheduled a markup for January 27 despite failing to secure Democratic backing, marking a potential shift toward partisan passage after months of bipartisan negotiations stalled.

Chairman John Boozman announced the legislative text yesterday, acknowledging that “differences remain on fundamental policy issues” while expressing gratitude for collaboration with Senator Cory Booker.

“Although it’s unfortunate that we couldn’t reach an agreement, I am grateful for the collaboration that has made this legislation better,” Boozman said, noting the markup will proceed at 3 p.m. in the Russell Senate Office Building.

BREAKING: Chairman @JohnBoozman releases updated market structure legislation ahead of January 27th markup. https://t.co/PB7O9FMJlZ pic.twitter.com/k7FuIBgEsk

— Senate Ag Committee Republicans (@SenateAgGOP) January 22, 2026

Legislative Path Narrows as Banking Panel Delays CLARITY Act

The Agriculture Committee’s decision to advance its Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act comes as the Senate Banking Committee postponed work on the parallel CLARITY Act until late February or March, according to sources.

The Banking panel has pivoted to housing legislation following President Trump’s push for affordability, with the president writing that he is taking “immediate steps” on the housing bill, which remains a priority and “American Dream.”

That delay followed Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong’s public withdrawal of support over provisions he called “catastrophic,” including restrictions on tokenized equities and stablecoin yield.

Patrick Witt, White House Executive Director of the President’s Crypto Council, pushed back against Armstrong’s “no bill is better than a bad bill” stance, warning that delaying legislation risks future Democratic lawmakers writing “punitive legislation in the wake of a crisis, à la Dodd-Frank.”

“You might not love every part of the CLARITY Act, but I can guarantee you’ll hate a future Dem version even more,” Witt wrote.

Meanwhile, President Trump confirmed at Davos 2026 that he expects to sign crypto market structure legislation “very soon,” stating his administration is working to ensure “America remains the crypto capital of the world.“

JUST IN: President Trump says he hopes to sign the crypto market structure bill (CLARITY Act) soon. pic.twitter.com/2tQQqeefwP

— Altcoin Daily (@AltcoinDaily) January 21, 2026

Democratic opposition has intensified over ethics concerns, with Senator Adam Schiff demanding controls covering the White House and Senator Ruben Gallego calling ethics guardrails “a red line.”

Key Differences Between Competing Bills Shape Industry Response

The updated bill diverges from Banking’s CLARITY Act on several critical points, particularly regarding stablecoin yield, which has been the single biggest source of industry division.

CLARITY’s Section 404 explicitly prohibits digital asset service providers from paying interest or yield solely for holding payment stablecoins, though it permits “activity-based” rewards for transactions, loyalty programs, staking, or governance participation.

The new bill takes a fundamentally different approach by excluding “permitted payment stablecoins” from CFTC authority entirely, deferring regulation to frameworks like the GENIUS Act rather than setting specific yield rules.

Notably, the bill also explicitly classifies meme coins as digital commodities under CFTC jurisdiction, defining them as assets “inspired by internet memes, characters, or current events, where promoters seek to attract an enthusiastic community primarily for speculative purposes.“

CLARITY instead introduces “ancillary assets” concepts with exemptions for tokens that were principal assets of ETFs listed as of January 1, 2026.

On developer protections, the bill establishes an Office of the Digital Commodity Retail Advocate within the CFTC, while CLARITY creates a CFTC-SEC Micro-Innovation Sandbox for small firms.

Both protect software developers from regulation, though CLARITY’s Section 604 sparked warnings from Judiciary Committee leaders Chuck Grassley and Dick Durbin that it could “materially limit prosecutors’ ability to pursue financial crime cases.“

Banking Lobby Secures Stablecoin Restrictions Amid Industry Split

The stablecoin yield debate has exposed deep rifts between crypto platforms and traditional banks.

Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan recently warned that as much as $6 trillion in deposits (roughly 30% to 35% of US commercial bank deposits) could migrate into stablecoins, while JPMorgan CFO Jeremy Barnum called yield-bearing stablecoins “a parallel banking system that includes something that looks a lot like a deposit that pays interest, without the associated safeguards.“

Galaxy Digital also warned that Banking’s draft could grant Treasury “Patriot Act–style” surveillance powers, including authority to freeze transactions for up to 30 days without court orders.

Given this increasing friction with banks, Armstrong said Coinbase is exploring compromises with them during Davos talks, stating, “we’re going to continue to work on the market structure legislation, and meet with some of the bank CEOs to figure out how we can make this a win-win.“

Coinbase CEO @brian_armstrong said he will take US crypto market structure talks to Davos, seeking a compromise with banks as legislation stalls in Washington.#Coinbase #CryptoMarketStructure https://t.co/GKvYIkcTSs

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 20, 2026

Despite regulatory uncertainty, Clear Street analyst Owen Lau noted that “institutional use cases continue to expand even without a favorable Clarity Act,” pointing to continued blockchain adoption by major financial institutions.

The post US Senate Crypto Bill Heads to Markup Without Democrat Support appeared first on Cryptonews.

The US Senate Banking Committee has again postponed the work on the long-awaited landmark crypto market structure bill that could create a regulatory framework for digital assets.

Unnamed sources told Bloomberg that the crypto market structure legislation may be delayed by several weeks. The panel is likely to consider it in late February or March, they added.

Instead of focusing on the digital asset bill, the committee will pivot to housing legislation, following President Donald Trump’s recent push for affordability.

President Trump wrote that he is taking “immediate steps” on the housing bill, which remains a priority and “American Dream.”

Crypto Community Isn’t Happy With it

The Committee’s backburnering of the crypto bill has left the community in uncertainty, despite backers pushing for the urgent passage of the legislation.

Patrick Witt, White House Executive Director of the President’s Crypto Council, called for immediate implementation of the bill. He said that it is unrealistic to expect a multi-trillion-dollar industry to operate without a comprehensive regulatory framework.

The work on the crypto bill – called the CLARITY Act – stalled its planned markup after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong publicly withdrew support for the draft bill. Armstrong flagged several issues with the draft, including a de facto ban on tokenized equities.

However, the Bloomberg report noted that the Banking panel’s delay might not affect the Senate Agriculture Committee’s efforts on crypto.

The Agriculture Committee released its own version of that market structure bill, which the industry insiders fear might be a partisan bill lacking Democratic support.

“While differences remain on fundamental policy issues, this bill builds on our bipartisan discussion draft while incorporating input from stakeholders and represents months of work,” the Committee Chairman, John Boozman, clarified. Boozman postponed this legislation markup to late January.

The Agriculture Committee bill on crypto will need to get support from both Democrats and the Banking counterpart before it can continue further steps.

“I Hope to Sign Very Soon:” Donald Trump

President Trump confirmed that the crypto market structure bill will be signed “very soon.”

Speaking at the World Economic Forum at Davos 2026, he said that his administration is working to ensure that America remains the crypto capital of the world.

DAVOS2026: President Trump says he hopes to sign the crypto market structure legislation soon, “unlocking new pathways for Americans to reach financial freedom,” including #Bitcoin. pic.twitter.com/l1ZkTGX7xl

— Bitcoin.com News (@BitcoinNews) January 21, 2026

“Last year, I signed a landmark GENIUS Act into law, now Congress is working very hard on crypto market structure legislation… Bitcoin, all of them,” he spoke at Davos.

“I hope to sign very soon, unlocking new pathways for Americans to reach financial freedom.”

The post US Crypto Market Structure Bill Further Delayed Until Late February or March – Report appeared first on Cryptonews.

Despite a mixed performance in the early weeks of 2026, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse remains optimistic about the future of crypto markets, predicting new record highs for digital assets this year. 

Ripple CEO Optimistic About Long-Term XRP Potential

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Garlinghouse noted that recent regulatory developments, including the landmark GENIUS Act, have “unlocked a lot of activity” in the sector.

When asked about crypto performance during an interview with CNBC, Garlinghouse confidently stated, “I’m very bullish, and yes, I’ll go on record as saying, I think we’ll see an all-time high.” 

He emphasized that major financial institutions are increasingly showing interest in cryptocurrencies, labeling this shift as a “massive sea change.” However, he believes that this development is not fully reflected in current market prices.

Despite his optimistic outlook, XRP, Ripple’s associated cryptocurrency, was trading at $1.88 and had experienced a notable 13% decline over the past week. The current market performance has led analysts to speculate about the possibility of a new bear market on the horizon. 

Nonetheless, he expressed confidence in the long-term potential of the XRP ecosystem, stating, “We are a very vested party in what goes on in the XRP ecosystem. In another five or 10 years, you’re going to see continued, very positive momentum.”

Garlinghouse Confident CLARITY Act Will Pass

Garlinghouse also anticipated that 2026 would see significant use cases for digital assets, mentioning that cryptocurrency exchange Binance is likely to re-enter the US market. 

He asserted that the GENIUS Act would facilitate the growth of stablecoins, potentially making operations like payroll more efficient. He believes cryptocurrencies are well-positioned for growth over the next decade.

Regarding the crypto market structure bill, or the CLARITY Act, a vital framework for regulating crypto, Garlinghouse voiced confidence that it will eventually succeed. “It’ll get done. We are as close as we have ever been,” he said. 

However, the proposed market structure bill has encountered significant challenges, particularly after key provisions came under scrutiny. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong withdrew support for the bill just 24 hours before an anticipated markup scheduled for January 15, leading to a postponement of the process.

Garlinghouse was taken aback by Armstrong’s strong opposition to the CLARITY Act, noting that “the rest of the industry, including exchanges that compete with Coinbase, were still supporting it.” 

The executive claimed that he still remains hopeful that industry leaders can navigate the current legislative impasse. “If we want the industry to continue to grow, we need things like the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act,” he affirmed.

Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com 

As discussions surrounding the CLARITY Act—often referred to as the crypto market structure bill—continue in Washington, Kristin Smith, President of the Solana Policy Institute, has provided insights on the current status of the legislation and the organization’s top priorities. 

Solana Policy Institute’s Optimism For CLARITY Act 

One of the main priorities disclosed by Smith in a recent post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), is the importance of protecting open-source developers in the legislative landscape.

Smith pointed out that the recent delay in the markup of the market structure bill last week after Coinbase’s withdrawal should be seen as a temporary setback. “Despite the delay, industry engagement remains robust, and there is clear bipartisan support to achieve durable regulatory clarity for market structure,” she noted.

The Senate Agriculture Committee is making advancements with its own draft of the legislation expected to be released on Wednesday, as earlier reported by Bitcoinist.

Smith also highlighted a shared objective: to create a framework that protects consumers, fosters innovation, and provides certainty for developers operating in the United States. A central tenet of this goal is the safeguarding of developers, which Smith argued is crucial for the success of the industry.

Smith Advocates For Developer Protections

The Solana Institute was founded to ensure that policymakers gain a comprehensive understanding of public blockchains and the protocols that underpin them. 

Smith articulated the critical role that open-source software plays within the crypto ecosystem, noting that developers around the world collaborate to produce software that anyone can inspect, use, or improve. “Openness is a strength—not a liability,” she asserted.

However, she raised concerns regarding the case against Roman Storm of Tornado Cash, indicating that it treats open-source innovation as something questionable. Smith warned that penalizing developers merely for writing and publishing open-source code endangers all those involved in such collaborative efforts. 

She emphasized the “chilling effect” that the prosecution could have on open-source developers, asserting that writing code is an expressive act protected by the First Amendment.

Smith called for clear policy that differentiates between bad actors and developers working on lawful, general-purpose tools. To bolster this cause, she encouraged supporters to draft letters expressing their stance in favor of open-source protections.

Roman Storm responded to Smith’s support, thanking her and the broader community for advocating for open-source principles. He remarked, “Criminalizing the act of writing and publishing code threatens not just one developer, but the foundations of digital security, privacy, and innovation.” 

At the time of writing, Solana’s native token, SOL, was trading at $130.33, mirroring the performance of the broader crypto market, dropping 11% in the weekly time frame.   

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

The Senate Banking Committee delayed the anticipated markup of its crypto market structure bill draft, prompting the Agriculture Committee to take action. The Agriculture Committee is set to release its own version of the bill’s draft today, just ahead of a crucial vote scheduled for next week.

Coinbase Faces Pressure To Negotiate Yield Deal

Eleanor Terret, a reporter with Crypto In America who has been closely monitoring congressional developments regarding cryptocurrency, reported that staffers from the Banking Committee hope a successful bipartisan agreement spearheaded by their counterparts in the Ag Committee could facilitate a smoother markup process.

The responsibility now largely falls on Coinbase—whose sudden withdrawal of support for the bill contributed to the halt in the markup process—to negotiate a deal with banking leaders on yield. At the same time, Binance and Ripple’s leadership have expressed support for the bill’s latest version during their appearance in Davos. 

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong expressed his apprehensions regarding the implications of the bill last week. He raised concerns that the legislation could prohibit tokenized equities, impose restrictions on decentralized finance (DeFi), and expand government access to financial data, potentially sacrificing individual privacy. 

The executive also cautioned that the bill could shift regulatory power from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which may eliminate stablecoin rewards and hinder competition within the crypto sector.

President Trump Optimistic About Crypto Market Bill

Adding to the tension, Patrick Witt, Executive Director of the White House Crypto Council, took to social media late Tuesday to criticize Coinbase, warning that the delay in the market structure bill could invite stricter regulations under an administration less favorable to digital assets. 

Witt’s remarks seemed to corroborate reports from Crypto In America indicating that the White House is frustrated with Coinbase’s withdrawal, which has contributed to the legislative stall.

In a related note, President Donald Trump acknowledged the ongoing efforts surrounding the market structure legislation during his speech in Davos on Wednesday. 

He expressed hope that Congress would finalize the bill soon, stating, “Congress is working very hard on crypto market structure legislation, which I hope to sign very soon, unlocking new pathways for Americans to reach financial freedom.”

Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com 

A recent report from CNBC reveals that Binance’s co-CEO, Richard Teng, is contemplating a return to the US market after exiting in 2023 as part of a regulatory agreement that also resulted in the departure of the exchange’s former CEO, Changpeng Zhao (CZ). 

Ripple CEO Predicts Positive Impact From Binance’s Return

During an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, Teng emphasized that Binance is taking a “wait-and-see” stance regarding its reentry into the US, a market he considers “very important.”

In tandem with Teng’s comments, Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple’s CEO, shared his optimistic outlook for the world’s leading exchange comeback in a separate interview with CNBC. 

Garlinghouse remarked that the US market is significant and suggested that Binance had previously been a major player within it. “I think they’ll come back because they’re a capitalistic, innovative company that wants to solve larger market challenges and continue to grow,” he stated.

Not only that, but Garlinghouse also believes that Binance’s entry into the country’s cryptocurrency market could increase competition and ultimately attract more users. He noted: 

I think it will actually have the positive impact of bringing more people into the market, in part because it’ll reduce pricing. Today their pricing is lower on a global basis than what we see here in the U.S.

Teng, Garlinghouse Call For Support Of Key Crypto Bills

The discussion of Binance’s future in the US comes amidst a turbulent regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies. The recent cancellation of the crucial markup for the crypto market structure bill, known as the CLARITY Act, reflects ongoing challenges. 

Teng, a former regulator himself, weighed in on the state of US crypto regulations, asserting that “any regulation will be better than no regulation.” He explained that having regulatory clarity allows companies to navigate the framework effectively. 

“Once you have clarity, you can then start working around those rules,” Teng added, acknowledging that initial regulations may not be perfect but can be refined over time.

This backdrop of regulatory uncertainty is further complicated by recent developments in the industry. The CEO of Coinbase, Brian Armstrong, stepped back from supporting the crypto market structure bill just 24 hours before its markup, leading to its eventual suspension. 

Garlinghouse, who continues to support the bill in its latest form, was surprised by Armstrong’s “vehemence” against the CLARITY Act. He noted that “the rest of the industry, including exchanges that compete with Coinbase, were still supporting it.”

Looking ahead, Garlinghouse is hopeful that industry leaders will find a way to overcome the current impasse. “If we want the industry to continue to grow, we need things like the Genius Act and the Clarity Act,” he affirmed.

At the time of writing, Binance’s native token, Binance Coin (BNB), had dropped to $893.65, marking a 3.7% decline over the previous 24 hours. Ripple’s associated XRP token retraced towards $1.90, suffering even greater losses of 5.5% in the same time frame. 

Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com 

Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase (COIN) recently retracted its support for the latest iteration of the crypto market structure bill, known as the CLARITY Act, just 24 hours before a crucial markup was scheduled. 

This signals significant concerns about the bill’s alignment with the interests of cryptocurrency firms compared to traditional banking institutions, not only for the exchange but also for broader market participants.

Coinbase CEO’s Concerns Over Fair Competition

On Friday, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong elaborated on the rationale behind the exchange’s withdrawal in an appearance on FOX Business, expressing his frustration with the notion that banks could use regulatory means to stifle competition in their favor. 

“It just felt deeply unfair to me that one industry [banks] would come in and get to do regulatory capture to ban their competition,” Armstrong stated. He also underscored the importance of a level playing field, asserting that competition should thrive without undue interference from powerful financial entities.

Coinbase CEO emphasized that his concerns resonate with “much of the industry,” highlighting his obligation to advocate for customers who he believes are being shortchanged by the provisions of the proposed market legislation. 

“I declined to opine on the exact—whether the hearing, the markup should happen or not… But I did feel like I had to speak up on behalf of our customers and all Americans here,” he articulated.

Debate Heats Over CLARITY Act

Central to the ongoing debate surrounding the CLARITY Act is a critical disagreement between banks and crypto firms regarding the fate of stablecoin holders and whether they should be entitled to receive reward payments. 

Armstrong has previously raised alarms that the bill might prohibit tokenized equities, impose restrictions on decentralized finance (DeFi), and expand governmental access to financial data, thereby compromising individual privacy. 

Furthermore, he warned that the legislation could shift regulatory authority away from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and towards the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), sidelining competition within the crypto space.

Armstrong Critiques Banking Lobbying Tactics

Armstrong noted the irony in the current situation, pointing out that while banks are indeed leveraging the advantages of cryptocurrency, their lobbying efforts seem aimed at restricting competing firms. 

“Many of these banks are actually very smart,” he acknowledged, referencing the commercial side of banking that is increasingly engaging with crypto. “They’re actually doing deals with Coinbase. We’re powering a lot of crypto and stablecoin infrastructure for them on the commercial side.”

Despite his criticisms of the banking sector’s lobbying tactics, Armstrong expressed optimism that legislators could ultimately resolve the outstanding issues within the crypto market structure bill:

And then their lobbying arm comes to D.C. and thinks of it as very zero-sum and is trying to kill the competition. So, I suspect, like many things, if we get the principles in the room, we can actually get this figured out and make a good deal.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

Despite a surprising postponement of the markup for the crypto market structure bill known as the CLARITY Act, lawmakers are maintaining a hopeful outlook for the passage of the legislation. 

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott announced the delay on Wednesday, stating that bipartisan negotiations are ongoing. He characterized the pause as tactical rather than indicative of failure. 

Coinbase CEO Voices Alarm Over CLARITY Act’s Potential Impact

In a message on social media platform X (previously Twitter), Scott expressed confidence, noting, “I’ve spoken with leaders across the crypto industry, the financial sector, and my Democratic and Republican colleagues, and everyone remains at the table working in good faith.” 

In an interview with Fox News prior to the cancellation of the markup, Scott noted that the Republican Party has made significant efforts to incorporate bipartisan support into the legislation. 

“We’ve taken over 90 of the Democrats’ priorities and filtered them,” he explained. Scott highlighted key issues, such as anti-money laundering (AML) measures, which are important to both parties, aligning on national security concerns.

However, the momentum faced a setback when Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong withdrew the company’s support for the CLARITY Act in its current form. 

Armstrong raised concerns that the bill could prohibit tokenized equities, impose restrictions on decentralized finance (DeFi), and expand government access to financial data at the expense of individual privacy. 

The executive also cautioned that the legislation could shift power from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and eliminate stablecoin rewards, potentially sidelining crypto competition.

Crypto Czar Urges Industry To Resolve Differences

Following the postponement of the vote, White House crypto czar David Sacks urged the industry to use this delay to address any remaining disagreements. “Passage of market structure legislation remains as close as it’s ever been,” Sacks stated on X.

The Trump administration continues to express a commitment to collaborating with Scott, the Senate Banking Committee, and industry stakeholders to advance bipartisan crypto legislation as swiftly as possible. 

Although the specifics of the bill are still under negotiation, there is widespread consensus among both asset managers and experts that federal intervention is crucial not only for the growth of cryptocurrency but also for consumer protection.

Kyle Wool, CEO of Dominari Securities, shared his perspective, stating, “As newer, more fringe industries grow and capital increases, there will be a greater need for oversight from regulators.” 

He outlined that proper regulations should not stifle innovation but instead ensure that markets remain fair, honest, and efficient for all investors. Wool added that such measures would also make the crypto market accessible to a broader audience, enhancing liquidity and depth. 

Pro-crypto Senator Cynthia Lummis, who has been an advocate for the growth and development of the digital asset industry, asserted that lawmakers are now “closer than ever,” with ongoing negotiations leaning toward a bipartisan agreement. 

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

The CEO of Bank of America has warned that trillions of dollars could flee from bank deposits to the stablecoin sector if the upcoming crypto market structure bill allows interest payments on the tokens.

Banking System Could Face $6 Trillion Problem

On Wednesday, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan told investors that the banking industry could face significant challenges if the US Congress does not prohibit interest-bearing stablecoins.

During its Q4 earnings call, the executive affirmed that up to $6 trillion in deposits, around 30% to 35% of all US commercial bank deposits, could flow out of the banking system and into the stablecoin sector, citing Treasury Department studies.

The banking sector has heavily criticized the US’s landmark stablecoin legislation, the GENIUS Act, for months, claiming that it has loopholes that could pose risks to the financial system. Notably, the crypto framework prohibits interest payments on the holding or use of payment-purpose stablecoins but only addresses issuers.

Multiple banking associations across the US sent a joint letter to the Senate Banking Committee urging Congress to amend the law to include digital asset exchanges, brokers, dealers, and related entities.

According to the call’s transcript, Moynihan compared the digital assets to money market mutual funds, which require reserves to be held in short-term instruments, such as US Treasuries, thereby reducing lending capacity in the system.

That is the bigger concern that we’ve all expressed to Congress as they think about this, if you move it outside the system, you’ll reduce the lending capacity of banks. (…) And if you take out deposits, (…) they’re either not going to be able to loan or they’re going to have to get wholesale funding and that wholesale funding will come at a cost that will increase the cost of borrowing.

The CEO asserted that Bank of America would not be affected by this issue, as the institution would be able to “meet customer demand, whatever may surface.” However, he noted that it would particularly hurt small- and medium-sized businesses, as they’re “largely lent to end consumers by the banking industry.”

Stablecoin Rewards Debate Intensifies

Moynihan’s remarks come amid the Senate’s struggles with the long-awaited market structure bill. The recently shared draft, which was scheduled for a markup today, has raised concerns among crypto industry leaders, who have outlined multiple problems with the bill.

Coinbase’s CEO, Brian Armstrong, took to X to share his disappointment with the legislation, affirming that “this version would be materially worse than the current status quo. We’d rather have no bill than a bad bill.”

He affirmed that, after reviewing the bill’s draft, Coinbase could not support it in its current state, arguing that there were “too many issues.” Among the problems, he noted the de facto ban on tokenized equities, crucial DeFi prohibitions, the “erosion” of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)’s authority, and the policies regarding the payment of interests on stablecoins.

As reported by Bitcoinist, this version of the market structure bill introduced key restrictions for stablecoin issuers. Under the proposed changes, issuers would be able to offer rewards for specific actions, such as account openings and cashback.

However, they are prohibited from offering interest payments to passive token holders. To Armstrong, this “would kill rewards on stablecoins,” and allow banks to “ban their competition.”

Amid the intensified backlash, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott announced on Wednesday that the bill’s markup had been postponed to “deliver clear rules of the road that protect consumers, strengthen our national security, and ensure the future of finance is built in the United States.”

A planned Senate Banking Committee legislation markup has been postponed, as Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has withdrawn his support for a market structure bill which seeks to codify federal regulations over crypto, stablecoins, and DeFi markets.

Based on reports, this unexpected withdrawal sharpened existing tensions between senators on debates of this bill and lawmakers who were trying to revamp critical phrases.

Republicans’ Concerns In Oversight

The Republicans in the Senate, under the leadership of Sen. Tim Scott, have strongly countered. They have expressed reservations about whether it is intended to help ordinary investors or just a few companies.

While some representatives expressed their concerns that broad oversight authority could stymie growth in addition to proposed net yields for stablecoins, reports have indicated that Republicans want more defined enforcement authority in opposition to broad regulatory language.

Crypto builders need clear rules of the road.

Over the past five years, Republicans, Democrats, and the Trump Administration have worked closely with members across the crypto industry to protect decentralization, support developers, and give entrepreneurs a fair shot.

​At its…

— Chris Dixon (@cdixon) January 15, 2026

Bitcoin Unfazed By The Standoff

Despite the confusion, crypto prices remained firm. Bitcoin held its ground and climbed 1.5%. The top crypto asset retained its grip on the $96,000 level, while other top cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and USDT likewise notched similar gains in the last 24 hours, based on the latest market tracking figures.

Meanwhile, investors followed speeches and congress sessions. Market volatility heightened. Some investors opted to go to the sideline position as lobbyists and exchanges sought to shape the draft that will come next.

After reviewing the Senate Banking draft text over the last 48hrs, Coinbase unfortunately can’t support the bill as written.

There are too many issues, including:

– A defacto ban on tokenized equities – DeFi prohibitions, giving the government unlimited access to your financial…

— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) January 14, 2026

As a response to the new draft bill issued by the Senate, several industry representatives vocally objected to its provisions and expressed their belief that it could have a negative impact on tokenized equities and Decentralized Finance.

In fact, there are enough concerns in the blockchain sector raised by Armstrong, that he stated he would prefer to see no bill than see a bad bill passed, indicating that even some members of his industry agree with Republican concerns regarding possible overreach by Congress.

These industry groups said they will likely withdraw their support unless the Senate makes the necessary changes to allow for continued innovation and cross-border competition regarding blockchain technology.

Negotiations Continue To Take Place Behind Closed Doors

Some Senate leaders still want to move toward a committee vote, even though disagreement remains deep. Republican and Democratic legislators are currently negotiating or trading potential amendments on issues such as stablecoin legislation, DeFi protections and investor protections in an effort to reach an agreement on an acceptable version of the bill by both parties.

Democrats have identified a need to address regulatory issues regarding ethics, potential Money Laundering, and DeFi over-regulation as top priorities. On the other side of the aisle, the Republican Party continues to push for legislation that clearly defines the guardrails for federal regulators regarding blockchains.

As a result of ongoing negotiations, there is currently no set timeline for a Senate floor vote on the new legislation.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

The Senate Banking Committee has pulled the scheduled Thursday markup of its crypto asset market structure bill after a late-stage flare-up with Coinbase, freezing what had looked like a tightening path toward action. The pause lands at a sensitive moment for Washington’s crypto negotiations: industry heavyweights are publicly splitting over the Senate draft even as lawmakers insist bipartisan talks are still alive.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said Wednesday the committee will postpone the markup “as bipartisan negotiations continue,” framing the delay as tactical rather than terminal. “I’ve spoken with leaders across the crypto industry, the financial sector, and my Democratic and Republican colleagues, and everyone remains at the table working in good faith,” Scott wrote on X. “As we take a brief pause before moving to a markup, this market structure bill reflects months of serious bipartisan negotiations and real input from innovators, investors, and law enforcement.”

Scott positioned the bill as a foundational framework rather than a narrow industry carveout. “The goal is to deliver clear rules of the road that protect consumers, strengthen our national security, and ensure the future of finance is built in the United States,” he added.

Coinbase Breaks Ranks Late

The immediate catalyst was Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, who said the exchange “can’t support the bill as written” after reviewing “the Senate Banking draft text over the last 48hrs.”

Armstrong argued the draft contains multiple provisions he says would be “materially worse than the current status quo,” contending that it amounts to “a defacto ban on tokenized equities,” includes “DeFi prohibitions” that expand government access to financial records and erode privacy, and would “stifl[e] innovation” by weakening the CFTC relative to the SEC.

He also pointed to “draft amendments” he said “would kill rewards on stablecoins,” warning the changes could allow banks to “ban their competition.” Armstrong’s bottom line was blunt: “We’d rather have no bill than a bad bill.” Still, he struck a conciliatory note about process and odds of a compromise, adding he was “quite optimistic” that continued work could produce “the right outcome.”

After reviewing the Senate Banking draft text over the last 48hrs, Coinbase unfortunately can’t support the bill as written.

There are too many issues, including:

– A defacto ban on tokenized equities – DeFi prohibitions, giving the government unlimited access to your financial…

— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) January 14, 2026

That posture split the difference between hard opposition to the text and support for continued negotiations,an important distinction as the markup process is typically where senators offer and vote amendments.

Crypto Industry Split

Coinbase’s stance quickly triggered a counter-response from other major crypto firms and advocacy groups backing the Senate Banking GOP’s push. Support was voiced by a16z, Circle, Kraken, The Digital Chamber, Ripple, and Coin Center, coalescing into a public front aimed at keeping momentum intact despite the delay.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse cast the bill as overdue but directionally positive. “While long-overdue, this move by @SenatorTimScott and @BankingGOP on market structure is a massive step forward in providing workable frameworks for crypto, while continuing to protect consumers,” he wrote. He said Ripple would remain engaged, adding: “We are at the table and will continue to move forward with fair debate. I remain optimistic that issues can be resolved through the mark-up process.”

Meanwhile, Tim Draper said Armstrong’s opposition is justified, arguing the Senate compromise “is worse than no bill at all” and suggesting that “the banks have been meddling.”

Ryan Rasmussen, Head of Research at Bitwise Asset Management , called the current CLARITY Act draft broadly harmful, listing tokenization, stablecoins, DeFi, privacy, builders, users, investors, and innovation, and concluded that the industry would “rather have no bill than a bad bill.”

White House Crypto Czar David Sacks urged the industry to treat the delay as a narrow window to align rather than an opening to splinter. “Passage of market structure legislation remains as close as it’s ever been,” Sacks wrote. “The crypto industry should use this pause to resolve any remaining differences. Now is the time to set the rules of the road and secure the future of this industry.”

Galaxy Digitall’s CEO Mike Novogratz struck a more optimistic tone, saying: “While the crypto bill might be delayed to keep working on it, I am very confident that a bill will get done soon. I have spoken to over 10 senators on both sides of the aisle in the past 24 hrs and I believe they all are working in good faith to get something done. Always gets tense at the end.”

At press time, the total crypto market cap stood at $3.22 trillion.

As the anticipated markup of the CLARITY Act approaches, supporters of the digital asset market are raising alarms over the latest draft of the bill. They claim that the revisions pushed by banking lobbyists threaten to undermine the principles of the cryptocurrency industry.

Ban On Yield Payments In CLARITY Act 

In a recent post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), market expert Nick Cash vocalized his strong opposition, stating that the current iteration of the CLARITY Act must be boycotted. 

He described it as a mechanism for banks to manipulate the future of cryptocurrencies, portraying their influence as a detrimental force for innovation in the sector.

The revised version of the CLARITY Act, which serves as a comprehensive crypto market structure bill, introduces significant restrictions on stablecoin issuers like Circle and Ripple. Notably, these firms will be prohibited from offering yield back to passive token holders. 

Title IV of the Digital Asset Market Consumer Protection Act (DAMCA) outlines how regulated banking institutions can interact with digital assets, mandating that stablecoin issuers—defined by the GENIUS Act—cannot make interest payments to holders.

Under the proposed changes, while stablecoin issuers would still be able to provide rewards tied to specific actions (such as account openings and cashback), the ban on yield payments poses a serious concern for the crypto industry, which has consistently viewed yield protection as a non-negotiable issue. 

Cash argues that the modifications may leave crypto-native issuers positioned at a competitive disadvantage against traditional banks. He warned that such restrictions could severely impact decentralized finance (DeFi) and the overall cryptocurrency landscape.

Expressing his frustration, Cash stated that those supporting the revised bill are essentially siding with banks and undermining the crypto movement. 

Strong Public Support For Stablecoin Rewards

Banking institutions have argued that allowing these interest payments could lead to a significant outflow of deposits from insured banks, threatening overall financial stability. 

In contrast, crypto advocates counter that blocking crypto exchanges from paying interest on stablecoins is anti-competitive and detrimental to innovation. Summer Mersinger, CEO of the Blockchain Association, articulated her stance, asserting:

What is threatening progress is not a lack of policymaker engagement, but the relentless pressure campaign by the Big Banks to rewrite this bill to protect their own incumbency. 

She highlighted that the demand to eliminate stablecoin rewards aims to restrict consumer choice and stifle innovative financial products before they have the chance to compete.

Amid this ongoing CLARITY Act debate, Stuart Alderoty, Chief Legal Officer at Ripple, weighed in, emphasizing that American consumers value their freedom to choose. 

He referenced new data from The National Cryptocurrency Association, which indicates a strong public preference—nearly 4-to-1—in favor of allowing stablecoin rewards, along with little appetite for government intervention to curb them.

Ultimately, the future of the CLARITY Act remains uncertain as stakeholders continue to voice their concerns about the implications of increased banking oversight on the cryptocurrency market.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

The recently released draft of the CLARITY Act, a significant piece of legislation aimed at regulating the crypto market, has ignited a wave of criticism from supporters within the community. 

Initially, the bill was meant to include protections for developers. However, expert commentary suggests that it opens the door to continued prosecution of developers and enhances surveillance measures for users of non-custodial software. 

Crypto Market Structure Bill Draft Lacks Essential Protections 

Market expert Ryan Adams highlighted another key issue in the crypto bill, stating that if banks succeed in eliminating stablecoin yield provisions within the CLARITY Act, it would indicate that the Senate is prioritizing bank interests over those of the general public.

Adams’s concerns were echoed by various users, who opined that the strategy appears orchestrated to allow banks to benefit by controlling how yields are managed and distributed. 

An independent report by The Rage reinforces these worries, detailing how the proposed draft includes so-called developer protections that may fall short.  Notably absent are safeguards against the rigorous implications of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) for self-custodial wallets. 

Additionally, the draft hints at possible applications to decentralized finance (DeFi) that could empower agencies to implement Travel Rule-like regulations, along with anti-money laundering (AML) measures targeting web-based interfaces and blockchain analysis firms.

Per the report, the Senate has already received 137 amendments to the draft ahead of its markup, scheduled for January 15. A revised version of the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA) is also included, which has been seen as vital for protecting developers. 

BRCA Loopholes

While the BRCA offers exemptions under AML and counter-terrorist financing regulations, it continues to leave developers vulnerable to accountability for the actions of users utilizing their software. 

The BRCA states that “non-controlling” developers—defined as those without unilateral control over digital asset transactions—will not be categorized as money transmitters under the relevant laws. However, this only alleviates certain charges and doesn’t prevent criminal liability for those whose software is misused.

Pro-crypto Senator Cynthia Lummis remarked on this aspect of the BRCA, indicating that it retains all necessary AML protections, which implies that despite any positives, accountability remains a looming threat for developers.

Simultaneously, the “Keep Your Coins Act” within the draft includes provisions claiming that federal agencies cannot prohibit self-custody of digital assets. However, further stipulations assert that this right does not prevent the application of laws concerning illicit finance, leaving loopholes for government intervention.

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) past attempts to impose a broker rule that would classify decentralized finance services as intermediaries requiring reporting obligations have been echoed in the current draft. 

This time, the Senate Banking Committee appears to be leaning towards a similar regulatory approach, aiming to provide guidance on BSA and AML compliance for “non-decentralized finance protocols,” thereby raising concerns about the implications for crypto developers who maintain and update protocols.

Privacy Concerns Mount

Under the new sections, the Senate Banking Committee introduces a concept termed “Distributed Ledger Application Layers,” which the report claims invites scrutiny and creates compliance obligations for software applications that allow users to interact with decentralized finance protocols. 

The provisions also compel the Treasury to develop additional oversight mechanisms to mitigate exposure to illicit financing risks identified through distributed ledger analysis tools, effectively ensuring that crypto transactions remain under close scrutiny.

As it currently stands, the lack of robust protections for developers and users involved in privacy-enhancing technologies in this current draft suggests that the Senate’s proposal for market structure will do little to safeguard non-custodial developers. 

Instead, it further entrenches their vulnerability to government oversight and user surveillance. Ultimately, these developments present a significant challenge for privacy software users and developers.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

As the Senate Banking Committee prepares to mark up the newly proposed draft of the crypto market structure bill, the DeFi Education Fund has released a list of amendments it strongly urges senators to oppose. 

In a recent post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the organization expressed concerns that the descriptions of the draft indicate potential harm to decentralized finance (DeFi) and could negatively impact software developers.

Red Flags Emerge From Crypto Market Structure Bill Draft 

In its message, the DeFi Education Fund emphasized the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the emerging DeFi landscape and called on senators to consider the far-reaching consequences of these proposed changes. 

Among the amendments highlighted were Amendment #42, proposed by Senators Reed and Kim, which seeks to authorize the Treasury to sanction smart contracts and centralized platforms involved in illicit activities. 

This amendment raised significant red flags for advocates who worry about its implications for innovation and operational flexibility within the decentralized finance ecosystem.

Another amendment of concern, Amendment #45 by Senator Reed, aims to create a specific definition for digital assets under the Bank Secrecy Act. 

Similarly, Amendment #47, also from Senator Reed, intends to remove a provision related to federal criminal offense concerning unlicensed money transmission. 

These changes, according to the DeFi Education Fund, loom dangerously over the operational landscape for developers and financial institutions that interact with digital assets.

Stifling DeFi Growth

Additionally, Senators Cortez Masto’s proposed amendments, specifically #72 and #73, aim to narrow the definition of non-controlling developers and expand the authority of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) alongside the Treasury for blockchain-enabled platforms. 

Amendments #74 and #75 further seek to strengthen existing laws related to money transmission and prohibit transactions involving unlawful DeFi protocols, which the Fund suggests could stifle the industry’s growth.

Amendment #104, proposed by crypto-skeptic Senator Elizabeth Warren, also drew attention by striking a key distribution carve-out for crypto offerings. 

This follows similar calls by Summer Mersinger, CEO of the Blockchain Association, who recently claimed that the “Big Bank Lobby” is pushing Congress to change key provisions of the already enacted GENIUS Act concerning stablecoin rewards, further highlighting the current state of the future of crypto in Congress. 

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

As the Senate Banking Committee prepares for the markup of the anticipated crypto market structure bill, known as the CLARITY Act, an updated draft has been released following extensive negotiations. 

This new version aims to provide a clearer regulatory framework for digital assets, defining oversight responsibilities between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). 

Major Takeaways From The Crypto Bill’s Draft

The latest draft released on Monday night, includes critical provisions recognized as gains for the industry. Notably, Paul Barron, a market expert, pointed out that the bill now defines “Custodial and Ancillary Staking Services” as a recognized activity, emphasizing that such services are considered “administrative or ministerial.” 

As a result, registered intermediaries will be allowed to facilitate staking for customers while ensuring that individual assets are segregated from the platform’s own funds. However, assets can be pooled with others for efficiency, such as through an omnibus account.

The bill also reinforces the existing status quo concerning anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations. Exchanges and brokers will still be required to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act, perform KYC checks, and monitor for any illicit financial activities.

Key wins for consumers include an explicit right to self-custody. Section 105(c) of the bill grants US individuals the right to maintain a hardware or software wallet for their own lawful custody of digital assets. 

Additionally, this section protects the ability to engage in direct peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions using self-custody wallets without the need for financial intermediaries.

Furthermore, the legislation aims to safeguard wallet developers. Section 109 ensures that non-controlling blockchain developers or providers of hardware or software facilitating customer custody will not be classified as money transmitters. 

This provision of the crypto market structure bill protects developers of wallets, such as those from Ledger, Tangem, and MetaMask, from being regulated as financial institutions solely based on their coding efforts.

Critical Insights On DeFi Provisions

Another significant aspect of the bill is its provisions regarding decentralized finance. The Act establishes exclusions that help protect DeFi protocols and developers from being classified as centralized exchanges (CEXs) or brokers. 

Specifically, Section 309 states that individuals will not be subject to the Securities Exchange Act solely for activities such as developing DeFi trading protocols, publishing user interfaces for blockchain systems, or operating nodes.

For consumers using DeFi products and protocols, the Act creates a legal “safe harbor,” allowing continued use of decentralized finance without the imposition of forced intermediaries. However, it is important to note that this does not provide immunity for any illicit financial activities.

Pro-crypto Senator Cynthia Lummis, who led the Republican Party’s negotiations to achieve the best possible results for digital asset growth in the country, sent the following message to her Democratic colleagues on social media: 

After months of hard work, we have bipartisan text ready for Thursday’s markup. I urge my Democrat colleagues: don’t retreat from our progress. The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act will provide the clarity needed to keep innovation in the U.S. & protect consumers. Let’s do this!

As for the crypto bill’s likelihood of passing, Barron suggests a medium-high probability, estimating a 60-70% chance it could become law in early 2026. 

However, the expert asserted that the outcome may hinge on either removing or softening the “Anti-CBDC” provisions or making concessions to banks regarding stablecoin reserves to meet the Senate threshold.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

Columbia Business School adjunct professor Omid Malekan challenged what he called five common banking-industry misunderstandings about stablecoin yields as Congress moves a market structure bill toward markup this month.

He pushed back on claims that stablecoins will automatically drain bank deposits or collapse lending, and argued the real fight is over who receives interest on the reserves that back those tokens.

“I’m disappointed that market structure legislation seems to be held up by the stablecoin yield issue,” he said. “Most of the concerns bouncing around Washington are based on unsubstantiated myths,” Malekan added.

Misconceptions About Stablecoin Yields

Based on reports, Malekan listed five specific points where industry talking points have wandered from the facts. He said stablecoins are fully reserved in many cases, and that issuers often park reserves in Treasury bills and bank accounts — activity that can feed, not sap, banking business.

I am disappointed that market structure legislation seems to be held up by the stablecoin yield issue. Most of the concerns bouncing around Washington are based on unsubstantiated myths.

So I’ve written a new article tackling the 5 biggest. They include:

1) Whether stablecoins… https://t.co/U2fQcPNZyV

— Omid Malekan (@malekanoms) January 12, 2026

He also noted that much US credit is delivered outside community banks, through money market funds and private lenders, so the link between stablecoins and bank lending is not as direct as some industry statements imply.

Banks Press Lawmakers Over Yield Rules

Lawmakers are racing to settle those questions before a committee markup. The Senate Banking Committee is scheduled to mark up the market structure text on January 15, 2026, and sources say negotiators remain split on whether to restrict third-party yield arrangements tied to stablecoins.

Community banks and trade groups have urged senators to close what they call “yield loopholes,” saying unregulated rewards could lure deposits away and raise liquidity risks.

Who Captures The Interest Matters

Malekan focused attention on the distribution of interest from reserve assets. According to his comments, the policy choice is not about banning stablecoins but about deciding whether banks or crypto issuers capture returns on reserves.

If issuers are allowed to share interest or rewards with customers, that could pressure bank profits — a point banks are making loudly in hearings and letters to lawmakers.

File Drafting And Last-Minute Haggling

Reports have disclosed that committee staff were racing to file a bipartisan market structure text and reconcile yield language ahead of a deadline this week. Negotiations continued into late sessions as senators weighed compromises that could allow some forms of rewards while guarding against run risks and bank disintermediation.

Featured image from Global Finance Magazine, chart from TradingView

As the January 15 markup of the crypto market structure bill—known as the CLARITY Act—draws closer, reports indicate that Coinbase (COIN) is reconsidering its support for the legislation. 

A Monday report from Bloomberg suggests this shift in position is contingent on whether the anticipated bill includes provisions beyond enhanced disclosure requirements tied to stablecoin rewards.

High Stakes For Coinbase

The CLARITY Act is expected to be marked up in at least one Senate committee this Thursday, and Coinbase’s potential withdrawal could have significant implications for the bill. 

A source familiar with Coinbase’s stance told Bloomberg that the exchange would re-evaluate its support if the legislation veers too far from its interests, particularly regarding stablecoin incentives.

Some insiders suggest the bill might restrict the ability to provide rewards to regulated financial institutions, a move that aligns with the banking sector’s concerns about losing deposits to crypto platforms.

Coinbase currently holds applications for a national trust charter that could permit it to offer those kinds of rewards under regulatory rules. However, many crypto-native firms are pushing back against potential restrictions, arguing that such measures could disrupt competition in the market.

The stakes for Coinbase are high, as rewards programs play a crucial role in its business model. The exchange allows users to earn 3.5% rewards on Circle’s USDC holdings. 

Should the market-structure bill include bans on these incentives, fewer users might choose to hold stablecoins on the platform. This could jeopardize an anticipated revenue stream projected at $1.3 billion in 2025, according to Bloomberg.

Banking Vs. Crypto

The GENIUS Act, passed into law in July of last year, prohibits stablecoin issuers from offering interest on token holdings, and does not prevent third-party partners like Coinbase from providing rewards tied to customer balances. 

The banking industry, however, argues that allowing exchanges to pay such rewards could negatively impact bank deposits and, consequently, community lending. 

As reported by Bitcoinist over the past month, the American Bankers Association (ABA) has voiced concerns that this situation could displace “billions” from local lending, allegedly harming small businesses and households.

In contrast, Faryar Shirzad, Coinbase’s chief policy officer, has argued that maintaining rewards tied to stablecoins is crucial for preserving the dollar’s dominance, especially in light of China’s announcement to start offering interest on its digital yuan.

Banking Lobby Fights Back

A potential compromise being discussed would permit only licensed banking entities or financial institutions to provide rewards on stablecoin balances. 

Recently, five crypto firms, including Ripple, Circle, and Paxos, received conditional approvals from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to become national trust banks, a move met with opposition from the banking lobby. 

If restrictions are indeed imposed, the report suggests that this could lead to creative workarounds as crypto firms seek alternative ways to reward customers. 

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com