Hi friends 🙋

Yes, the US Senate Agriculture Committee approved its portion of the legislation regarding the crypto market structure (known as the Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act, part of the broader CLARITY Act) on January 29, 2026, with a 12-11 vote.
✴️This is one of the most significant steps taken in the Senate for crypto regulation and a turning point that could shape the future of the crypto industry in the US. Below, I will discuss the issue in detail: What it means, what are the next steps, the benefits and potential drawbacks.
✴️Provides Regulatory Clarity: Assets like Bitcoin will be formally defined as "commodities" and will fall under the oversight of the CFTC. This aims to move away from the SEC's strict securities rules (e.g., registration requirements) and create a more flexible framework.
✴️A Turning Point for the Industry: Legal uncertainty for crypto companies will decrease, which could encourage more institutional investment and innovation. For example, the approval of products like ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) may become easier. Political Dimension: The fact that it's being passed along party lines shows that crypto has now become a political issue. Republicans see crypto as a tool for "economic freedom," while Democrats emphasize consumer protection and corruption risks. This could increase the influence of the crypto lobby ahead of the upcoming elections in 2026.
In short, this step could make crypto markets more legitimate and accessible, putting the US ahead in global competition.
✴️This is just a committee approval; there's a long way to go before the law becomes law. Step-by-step process:
Senate Banking Committee Decision: The broader part of the bill (stablecoins, DeFi, SEC rules) is pending in this committee. The Democrat-dominated committee has experienced delays on issues such as the ban on stablecoin yields and tokenized assets. If it passes, the two committee versions will be combined.
Full Senate Vote: The combined bill will come to the Senate floor. It may take 60 votes to overcome the filibuster – difficult with the current partisan division, but compromise may be possible with Trump's influence. House Compromise: The Senate version will be aligned with the House's CLARITY Act (via a conference committee).
President's Signature: Trump's signature is expected due to his pro-crypto stance, but the risk of a veto is low.
Timeline: In the most optimistic scenario, within months (spring 2026), but delays could push it to the end of the year. If unsuccessful, it will be postponed to 2027. Markets may be volatile during this process – for example, positive news could push the Bitcoin price higher.
✴️Benefits
Innovation and Growth: Clear rules ensure startups stay in the US, preventing offshore escapes. Institutional investors (e.g., banks) will be able to enter more easily, potentially increasing market volume.
Consumer Protection: Fraud will decrease with CFTC oversight, platforms will become registered. Stablecoins will become safer. Economic Impact: Makes the US a crypto leader; creates jobs, increases tax revenue. For example, companies like Coinbase may see a rise in their share prices.
Global Competition: The US gains an advantage against China's bans and Europe's regulations.
✴️Dangers and Risks
Partisan Division: Democratic opposition could weaken or block the bill. Conflicts of interest could escalate due to Trump connections.
Restrictions: The bill bans stablecoin yields and imposes a liability shield on code developers – this could limit some innovation or put investors at risk.
Market Volatility: Delays or failures could cause a drop in crypto prices. Also, excessive regulation crushes small players, leading to monopolization.
Consumer Risks: If the CFTC isn't strict enough, new scams could emerge. As Democrats have highlighted, a lack of ethical guidelines could encourage corruption. In conclusion, this vote is a promising step for crypto, but it's just the beginning. Markets are already reacting – assets like Bitcoin may fluctuate in the short term, but clarity will be a major catalyst in the long term.