CLARITY Act Moves Forward as Senate Schedules Key January 27 Markup

The US CLARITY Act is approaching a critical legislative milestone as the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry has officially scheduled its markup hearing for January 27, 2026. After weeks of delays and uncertainty around the crypto market structure bill, the announcement has renewed optimism across the digital asset industry, signaling that long-awaited crypto regulation in the United States may finally be within reach.

According to an official statement shared on X by the Senate Committee, the markup hearing will allow lawmakers to review and refine the CLARITY Act before deciding whether it should advance to the full Senate. Committee Chairman John Boozman emphasized that the revised schedule is intended to ensure transparency and enable a thorough review process. He also highlighted bipartisan cooperation, praising Senator Cory Booker and committee staff for working to craft rules that both protect consumers and support innovation in the US crypto sector.

The scheduled markup follows the recent release of an updated version of the CLARITY Act. Senator Tim Scott unveiled the amended bill, noting that it reflects months of negotiations with Democratic lawmakers. The updated legislative text is expected to be released publicly on January 21, just days before the markup hearing. Originally, the markup was set for January 15, 2026, but it was postponed to allow additional discussions and finalize unresolved details, which lawmakers say are necessary to secure broad support.

Once the markup process concludes, the Senate Committee will vote on whether to advance the CLARITY Act to the full Senate. Approval at that stage would move the crypto bill closer to a final Senate vote, either in its amended form or as originally drafted. However, Senate passage alone will not be enough. The bill must still clear the House of Representatives before being sent to President Donald Trump for signature into law. Differences between House and Senate versions could trigger further negotiations, potentially extending the timeline.

While many analysts expect the CLARITY Act to pass in early 2026, some experts remain cautious. TD Cowen has warned that the bill could be delayed until 2027 due to the upcoming 2026 elections, suggesting that shifting political dynamics may impact Senate Democratic support. As a result, despite growing momentum, uncertainty still surrounds the final passage and timing of the CLARITY Act.