Washington is finally touching crypto with gloves on.
By Maxime Laurent · 2026-01-22 12:40
Washington is finally touching crypto with gloves on.
A new US Senate draft could reshape crypto rules, protect DeFi, and redraw the SEC–CFTC battlefield.
I woke up to this news feeling that familiar mix of hope and suspicion ☕️ The United States Senate has a draft bill on the table: the CLARITY Act. Big word, big promise — clearer rules for a market that’s been living in regulatory fog for years.
First thing that caught my eye: DeFi developers are mostly taken out of direct regulatory fire. That’s huge. Less personal liability, less fear of waking up to a lawsuit from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission just because you pushed code.
Then comes the spicy part 🌶 A new category called “digital commodities.” Think blockchain tokens and memecoins — not securities. Translation: the Securities and Exchange Commission steps back, and the CFTC takes the wheel. For the market, that’s a much lighter touch.
What’s not included also matters. NFTs, stablecoins, and derivatives are left out completely. Kicked down the road, for another political fight, another cycle.
Everyone — exchanges, brokers, custodians, even DAOs — would still need to register, but with a temporary, simplified status. Less bureaucracy at the start, more breathing room to operate. There’s even a new role planned: a retail investor representative at the CFTC. Symbolic? Maybe. Still better than nothing.
Now the reality check: this is a Republican-led initiative, no bipartisan love yet. To pass, they’ll need at least seven Democrats on board. Amendments hearings are set for January 27, 2026 — which, in crypto time, is basically another era.
From my terrace, watching the light fade over the sea, this feels like a step toward maturity. Not perfect. Not finished. But finally acknowledging that crypto isn’t going away. On verra.
Clearer rules won’t kill crypto. Uncertainty does.
#Crypto #Regulation #DeFi #USPolitics #Bitcoin #MarketStructure #CryptoFriture
A new US Senate draft could reshape crypto rules, protect DeFi, and redraw the SEC–CFTC battlefield.
I woke up to this news feeling that familiar mix of hope and suspicion ☕️ The United States Senate has a draft bill on the table: the CLARITY Act. Big word, big promise — clearer rules for a market that’s been living in regulatory fog for years.
First thing that caught my eye: DeFi developers are mostly taken out of direct regulatory fire. That’s huge. Less personal liability, less fear of waking up to a lawsuit from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission just because you pushed code.
Then comes the spicy part 🌶 A new category called “digital commodities.” Think blockchain tokens and memecoins — not securities. Translation: the Securities and Exchange Commission steps back, and the CFTC takes the wheel. For the market, that’s a much lighter touch.
What’s not included also matters. NFTs, stablecoins, and derivatives are left out completely. Kicked down the road, for another political fight, another cycle.
Everyone — exchanges, brokers, custodians, even DAOs — would still need to register, but with a temporary, simplified status. Less bureaucracy at the start, more breathing room to operate. There’s even a new role planned: a retail investor representative at the CFTC. Symbolic? Maybe. Still better than nothing.
Now the reality check: this is a Republican-led initiative, no bipartisan love yet. To pass, they’ll need at least seven Democrats on board. Amendments hearings are set for January 27, 2026 — which, in crypto time, is basically another era.
From my terrace, watching the light fade over the sea, this feels like a step toward maturity. Not perfect. Not finished. But finally acknowledging that crypto isn’t going away. On verra.
Clearer rules won’t kill crypto. Uncertainty does.
#Crypto #Regulation #DeFi #USPolitics #Bitcoin #MarketStructure #CryptoFriture
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and not financial advice.