Key Insights
- Coinbase CEO walked the halls of Congress and urged lawmakers to move fast on the CLARITY Bill.
- Senator Tim Scott confirmed December committee markups and a full Senate vote in early 2026.
- Eleanor Terrett clarified that the House’s CLARITY Act and the Senate’s market structure bill are the same effort, soon to be merged.
The U.S. crypto market is at a turning point. Recently, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong walked the halls of Congress. At the same time, Senator Tim Scott set a clear timeline; Committees will vote in December.
A full Senate vote will follow in early 2026. After years of delays and enforcement battles, the finish line is finally in sight. Clear rules are coming.
Why the Crypto Market Has Been Stuck for Years
The crypto market is now worth more than $2.5 trillion. Bitcoin alone trades above $90,000 (at least as of Wednesday morning). Yet most Wall Street banks, pension funds, and retirement accounts stay away. The reason is simple: no one knows the rules. The SEC claims many tokens are unregistered securities.
The CFTC says Bitcoin and Ethereum are commodities. Companies face lawsuits instead of guidelines. This chaos has pushed builders and capital to Europe, Singapore, and Dubai.
The new market-structure bill will finally split jurisdiction. Once made a decree, the CFTC will oversee digital commodities and spot trading platforms. The SEC will maintain authority only over clear investment contracts and fundraising.
For the first time, the crypto market will be directed by a real rulebook instead of courtroom surprises.
Brian Armstrong Returns to Fight for the Crypto Market
Brian Armstrong has been lobbying Washington since 2018. This week, he came back at the perfect moment.
Standing inside the Capitol, he recorded a 53-second video update. He praised “great progress” since his last visit and highlighted new Senate drafts.
Armstrong asked lawmakers for a December committee markup and a bill on the President’s desk “soon after.” He urged the crypto market community to keep calling senators and representatives.
His visit coincided exactly with Senator Tim Scott’s public announcement, showing how closely Coinbase coordinates with friendly lawmakers. Armstrong also teased a major Coinbase product event on December 17, promising the crypto market even more tools once rules are clear.
December Markups Will Unlock the Crypto Market in 2026
Senator Tim Scott has given the clearest timeline yet. He confirmed that both the Banking and Agriculture Committees will hold markups in December.
The Agriculture Committee already released its bipartisan draft on November 10. At the same time, the Banking Committee is preparing to unveil its version soon.
Crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett reported this news. She helped clear up the confusion around names. She explained that the House’s CLARITY Act and the Senate’s market structure bill are essentially the same legislation.
Once both committees vote, the texts will be merged into one final law, setting up a Senate floor vote in early 2026. Momentum is building. The House already passed the CLARITY Act 294–134 in July, with strong bipartisan support.
Leaders have signalled they will accept the Senate version quickly to avoid delay. President Trump has promised fast action once the bill reaches his desk. For the first time since 2017, every piece is aligned.
Clear rules could significantly transform the market. Banks would finally offer crypto custody. Builders would prefer to stay in the U.S. instead of moving overseas. Crypto could stand on equal ground with traditional finance.
Moses K is a crypto journalist covering markets, regulation, and blockchain trends. He has written for The Coin Republic, Coinchapter, Cryptopolitan, Cryptotale, Coinspeaker, and MPost. Known for his concise, data-driven reporting, Moses focuses on price analysis, on-chain metrics, and policy developments shaping the global digital asset landscape.
