US Securities and Exchange Commission chair Paul Atkins has labeled it a big week for crypto as a vote on key market structure legislation looms.
“This is a big week for crypto – Congress is on the cusp of upgrading our financial markets for the 21st century,” said Atkins on Fox Business on Monday.
The market structure bill “fits in with the President’s focus on making America the crypto capital of the world, so if you have clear legislation and clear rules, then you have certainty in the marketplace,” he said.
“We’re behind it, we’re very bullish on the effects of the bill getting to the President to be signed this year, and I think that will be a huge help to the crypto marketplace and investors.”
Clarity is Key For Markets
“The most important thing we can do right now for investors is bring crypto asset markets out of the regulatory gray zone,” the SEC chair said on X following the interview.
He added that passing bipartisan market structure legislation will “help us future-proof against rogue regulators,” in an apparent swipe at previous SEC leadership.
“As David Sacks mentioned, the President has created a financial services regulatory dream team, and I am eager to work with my counterpart at the CFTC, Michael Selig, and across the Administration to implement this monumental legislation in the coming months and years.”
This is a big week for crypto – Congress is on the cusp of upgrading our financial markets for the 21st century.
I am wholly supportive of Congress providing clarity on the jurisdictional split between the SEC and the @CFTC. pic.twitter.com/NtDWRW85kL— Paul Atkins (@SECPaulSAtkins) January 12, 2026
Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan described the CLARITY Act as the “Punxsutawney Phil of this crypto winter.” Punxsutawney Phil is a famous groundhog that predicts the weather on February 2 in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
“If it sticks its head out but fails in Congress, the winter could continue. If instead it passes and is signed into law, we’re heading to new all-time highs,” said Hougan.
Bitcoin ATH If Approved
Thursday, January 15, is the date that the US Senate has slated for markup of the Act, with the process involving aligning drafts in the Senate Banking and Agriculture committees and pushing the final bill to a vote in Congress.
MN Fund co-founder Michaël van de Poppe commented that a lot of people “underestimate the significance of the CLARITY Act for the entire industry.”
You may also like:
The GENIUS Act, which regulates stablecoins, has been a “market decider,” however, the CLARITY Act “is that in square,” he added.
“Absolutely the biggest event, already in January, and can decide the entire direction of the ecosystem for the entire year 2026. If positive, Bitcoin towards a new ATH is not far away.”
BTC was down on the day at the time of writing, trading around $91,200, down 28% from its all-time high.
SECRET PARTNERSHIP BONUS for CryptoPotato readers: Use this link to register and unlock $1,500 in exclusive BingX Exchange rewards (limited time offer).
