U.S. Senate Prepares for Crucial Crypto Market Structure Votes in January 2026

U.S. lawmakers are preparing for a pivotal week in crypto regulation as Senate committees move closer to markup hearings and potential votes on long-awaited crypto market structure legislation. With January 2026 underway, momentum is building around a bill the crypto industry has pushed for over a year, hoping it will finally provide regulatory clarity for digital assets in the United States.

According to committee officials, the Senate Banking Committee, chaired by Senator Tim Scott, has confirmed it will hold a markup hearing and vote on its version of the crypto market structure bill on January 15. The Senate Agriculture Committee, led by Senator John Boozman, is also expected to hold a hearing the same day, though formal notice may come later due to committee rules. Together, these committees play a central role in shaping federal crypto policy, covering oversight of financial markets, commodities, and digital assets.

Despite the scheduled activity, uncertainty remains. As of now, updated draft legislation has not been publicly released. The Banking Committee plans to circulate revised text early in the week, while the Agriculture Committee continues negotiations, particularly around Democratic concerns related to ethics rules, decentralized finance regulation, yield provisions, and the structure of regulatory agencies. These unresolved issues could significantly influence how contentious or cooperative the markup process becomes.

Several outcomes are possible, ranging from a smooth, bipartisan agreement to a heated, party-line vote or even a delay if negotiations stall. While Republicans hold a Senate majority and could advance the bill without Democratic support in committee, final passage would still require 60 votes, making bipartisan backing essential for success.

The broader crypto industry is closely watching developments, as the bill could determine how DeFi platforms, stablecoins, and crypto developers are regulated in the U.S. With pressure mounting ahead of legislative deadlines, next week may prove decisive in determining whether comprehensive crypto market structure legislation moves forward or faces further delays.