Senate Blocks CLARITY Act as Coinbase Bitcoin Premium Hits One-Month Low
The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, known as the CLARITY Act, is intended to establish a US regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and clarify oversight between the SEC and CFTC. Its progress is closely watched by an industry seeking clearer federal rules. The Coinbase Premium, which compares Bitcoin prices on Coinbase and Binance, serves as a gauge of US spot demand; a negative reading suggests American buyers are weaker than their offshore counterparts.
The US Senate voted 49-50 on Sept. 15 against advancing the bill, falling short of the 60 votes required. CryptoQuant data showed the Coinbase Premium sliding to -0.079 that day, its lowest since Aug. 16, after briefly reaching 0.004 earlier in the week. Short-term holders also transferred 15,100 Bitcoin, worth about $1 billion, to exchanges within 24 hours while carrying unrealized losses, signaling increased selling pressure after the legislative setback.
All Coverage
2 original reportsThe Backstory
The history behind this eventBitcoin Erases Gains Below $77,000 as Clarity Act Odds Fade
The Clarity Act is intended to establish a clearer US regulatory framework for digital assets, including the division of oversight responsibilities among federal agencies. Crypto investors view the legislation as a potential milestone that could reduce legal uncertainty for exchanges, token issuers and other market participants. Bitcoin has consequently become sensitive to shifts in expectations for the bill’s progress through Congress.
Odds on Polymarket that the Clarity Act will become law in 2026 have fallen by half, adding pressure ahead of a looming Senate showdown. Bitcoin dropped 1.7% from midnight to $76,862, slipping below $77,000 and erasing its Monday-evening advance. A further bout of selling pushed the cryptocurrency to $75,600, its lowest level in September, as investors reassessed the legislation’s prospects and broader risk sentiment weakened.
Bitcoin Tops $65,000 as Senate Delays CLARITY Act
The CLARITY Act is a closely watched U.S. legislative effort to define the market structure and regulatory treatment of digital assets. Its progress in the Senate matters to crypto investors because clearer rules could shape how tokens, trading platforms and other market participants operate in the United States. Still, policy developments are only one part of the outlook, alongside spot Bitcoin ETF flows and movements in the U.S. dollar.
The U.S. Senate failed to pass the CLARITY Act before its recess, pushing consideration to September. Bitcoin nevertheless climbed above $65,000 and traded past $65,200, helping lift the broader cryptocurrency market. Analysts said investors had largely priced in the legislative delay, limiting its impact on risk appetite. Continued inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs and a weaker dollar provided stronger near-term support for the rally.
CLARITY Act Clears Senate Panel as Bitcoin Briefly Hits $82,000
The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, or CLARITY Act, aims to divide regulatory responsibilities between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, establishing a federal framework for token issuance and trading. The House passed the bill by 294–134 on July 17, 2025, leaving its progress in the Senate pivotal to breaking the long-running regulatory deadlock.
On May 14, 2026, the U.S. Senate Banking Committee approved the CLARITY Act by 15–9. The measure must still be reconciled with the Senate Agriculture Committee’s version before going to the full Senate for a vote. The news briefly pushed Bitcoin above $82,000 before it retreated to around $81,500. Nvidia gained more than 4% the same day, helping the S&P 500 close above 7,500 for the first time.
Subscribe to Mark Radar Weekly
Every Friday, the week's strongest signals in your inbox. Unsubscribe anytime.
If you search news on Google, you can set Mark Radar as a preferred source—our coverage will show up more often in your results. Set as preferred source on Google →