On January 12, 2026, SEC chair Paul Atkins said on Fox Business that it is a big week for crypto as Congress advances market-structure legislation. He posted on X the same day in support of clarifying the SEC–CFTC split and ending the regulatory gray zone. The Senate scheduled January 15 for a markup of the CLARITY Act.

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis has introduced a bipartisan standalone bill with Senator Ron Wyden to shield non-custodial blockchain developers from being treated as money transmitters under federal rules, as the Senate prepares to release and mark up its broader Digital Asset Market Clarity Act this week. The measure, which revives the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, coincides with leaked draft provisions that would curb interest payments on passive stablecoin balances and with upcoming Senate Banking Committee and Agriculture Committee markups that could significantly shape future U.S. crypto and DeFi regulation.

CFTC Chair Mike Selig has rebuilt the Innovation Advisory Committee with a crypto- and fintech-heavy lineup. Announced Monday, the membership spans Gemini, Kraken, Polymarket, Kalshi and major market operators such as Nasdaq, CME Group, ICE and Cboe, with the group set to advise on AI, blockchain, DeFi and market structure.

On Monday, US District Judge Aleta Trauger granted Kalshi a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order, blocking Tennessee regulators from enforcing a cease-and-desist while the case proceeds. The SWC's Friday letters ordered Kalshi, Polymarket and Crypto.com to halt sports event contracts, void positions, and refund Tennessee users by Jan. 31, with penalties up to $25,000 per violation.

On Monday, Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan called efforts to keep Bitcoin out of 401(k) menus "ridiculous," arguing BTC was less volatile than Nvidia over the past year. Senator Elizabeth Warren published an open letter pressing the SEC for safeguards and set a Jan. 27 deadline. In August last year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order opening the door to crypto in 401(k)s.

Bitcoin is steady near $92,000 as an ascending triangle compresses below $92,200–$92,500. Strategy purchased 13,627 BTC for about $1.25 billion while crypto products saw $454 million in weekly outflows. Key supports sit near $90,200, with upside markers at $93,900 and $95,000 if resistance breaks.

On January 13, the U.S. Senate released a 278-page bipartisan crypto market structure bill after extensive negotiations in Washington. The draft sets activity-based limits on stablecoin rewards that could advantage banks and constrain non-bank firms, and allows a 48-hour window for amendments.

On January 12, 2026, former New York Mayor Eric Adams launched NYC Token, a memecoin he framed as a tool against antisemitism and anti-Americanism. The token briefly hit a $580 million market cap before crashing 80% amid allegations of a rug pull and multimillion-dollar liquidity removal, with critics also warning about its highly concentrated ownership.