U.S. Congress Advances Crypto Market Structure Bill

• Lyla Velez
• January 14, 2026
• Policy
• 0 Comments

The advancement of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act signifies heightened efforts to regulate digital assets, potentially reducing ambiguity for major cryptocurrencies.

Progress and Regulatory Framework

Rep. J. French Hill’s Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 has passed the House. It aims to establish a regulatory framework for digital commodities, enhancing clarity over jurisdiction between the CFTC and SEC. The bill could impact major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

CFTC’s Role in Regulation

The bill’s progress shifts regulatory power towards the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for digital assets deemed mature or decentralized. Specific exemptions from SEC registration requirements could benefit Ethereum and Bitcoin, classifying them as digital commodities.

Market Impact and Future Outlook

Key shifts include the CFTC overseeing spot digital commodity markets, likely leading to favorable conditions for BTC and ETH. Such a CFTC-centric bill is perceived as a reduction in securities risks, potentially raising these assets’ appeal. “The bill provides SEC exemptions for qualifying ‘mature’ chains/tokens under thresholds,” according to the official House report on H.R. 3633.

Broader Implications

The bill’s finalization might dictate the SEC and CFTC’s jurisdiction, significantly affecting how digital commodities like Ethereum and Bitcoin are regulated. Historical cycles suggest markets might reprice BTC and ETH upwards, contingent upon legislative clarity.

Legislative Actions and Global Positioning

Legislative actions appear aligned with enhancing compliance pathways for major assets, providing markets with the much-needed regulatory clarity. The outcome of this bill is crucial as it might determine the global positioning of the U.S. within crypto regulation.