Strategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor said public advocacy for Bitcoin is protected speech under U.S. law and argued the asset should be treated as a commodity rather than a security. U.S. lawmakers are set for a September 15 procedural vote on the CLARITY Act, a step that would advance consideration but not finalize passage. Strategy also bought 4,603 BTC for about $369.7 million at an average price of $80,318, lifting its total holdings to 845,050 BTC.

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce said a new proposal is a step toward “clear, sensible, enforceable” rules for crypto offerings, as the agency seeks a dedicated framework for crypto-related investment contracts. SEC Chair Paul Atkins said the regulator’s earlier enforcement-led posture pushed some investment activity offshore, limiting protections available in the U.S. Galaxy Digital cut its odds of related legislation passing in 2026 to 10%, warning that multiple political issues remain unresolved.

Empery Digital shares rose after the company said it sold 1,400 Bitcoin over roughly the past two months at an average price of $62,200, raising about $87.1 million, according to an 8-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company said it used the proceeds to fund a 25% stake in a venture tied to an AI data center project and to repay $10 million of outstanding debt. The sale cut Empery’s Bitcoin holdings by 48% to 1,514 BTC, which it valued at around $97 million based on prevailing market prices.

Citadel Securities said the Federal Reserve could restart rate hikes as early as September 2026, citing inflation that remains above target, a strong labor market, and AI-driven capital spending that could add demand pressure. May CPI rose to 4.2% and PPI climbed to 6.5%, while a larger share of core CPI components is now posting annual gains above 3%. Markets have lifted the implied probability of a Fed hike before July 2027 to 60%, according to Kalshi data. The firm said the shift in macro expectations weighs on long-duration asset pricing but does not amount to an immediate trading signal tied to specific stocks or commodities.