SEC Chairman: ‘Big Week for Crypto’ as Congress Votes on Market Structure

US Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins has called 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,” Atkins said Monday on Fox Business.

The market structure bill “fits into 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 market,” he said.

“We stand behind it, we are very optimistic about the consequences of the bill to be signed into law by the president this year, and I think this will be a huge help for the crypto market and investors.”

Clarity is essential for markets

“The most important thing we can do for investors right now is take crypto asset markets out of the regulatory gray zone,” the SEC chairman said on X after the interview.

He added that passing bipartisan market structure legislation will “future-proof us against rogue regulators,” in an apparent swipe at previous SEC leadership.

“As David Sacks said, the President has created a dream team in the financial services space, 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 months and years ahead.”

This is a big week for crypto – Congress is on the cusp of upgrading our financial markets for the 21st century.
I fully support Congress providing clarity on the separation of jurisdiction between the SEC and the @CFTC. pic.twitter.com/NtDWRW85kL

— Paul Atkins (@SECPaulSAtkins) January 12, 2026

Bitwise CIO Matt described the CLARITY Act as the “Punxsutawney Phil of this crypto winter.” Punxsutawney Phil is a famous groundhog who predicts the weather on February 2 in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

“If the country sticks its head out but fails in Congress, winter could continue. If it is instead passed and signed into law, we will go to new all-time highs,” Hougan said.

Bitcoin ATH If approved

Thursday, January 15 is the date on which the US Senate will tighten the law, with the process involving aligning concepts in the Senate Banking and Agriculture Committees and putting the final bill to a vote in Congress.

MN Fund co-founder Michaël van de Poppe commented that many people “underestimate the significance of the CLARITY Act for the entire industry.”

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The GENIUS Act, which regulates stablecoins, has been a “market mover,” but the CLARITY Act “squashes that,” he added.

“Definitely the biggest event, already in January, and could determine the entire direction of the ecosystem for the entire year 2026. If it is positive, Bitcoin towards a new ATH is not far away.”

BTC was trading at around $91,200 on the day of writing, down 28% from its all-time high.