The Clarity Act has successfully cleared the Senate Banking Committee with a 15 to 9 vote on Thursday, pushing Bitcoin past $82,000 for the first time in weeks.

Summary

  • The Senate Banking Committee endorsed the Clarity Act with a bipartisan 15 to 9 vote, including two Democrats who crossed party lines to support the initiative.
  • Following the vote, Bitcoin hit over $82,000 but later adjusted to about $81,500, reflecting a 2.5% rise for the day.
  • The bill’s journey continues with pending ethics provisions and the need for 60 votes on the Senate floor prior to a full vote expected before the May 21 recess.

The Clarity Act advanced from the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday with bipartisan support, a vote of 15 to 9, marking a crucial legislative achievement for what is considered the most impactful crypto market structure bill in U.S. history. In reaction to the vote, Bitcoin (BTC) initially rose above $82,000 before settling around $81,500, reflecting roughly a 2.5% gain for the day.

Two Democratic senators joined all 13 Republicans on the committee in backing the legislation. Chairman Tim Scott characterized the unanimous Republican support as “the red zone,” noting Senator John Kennedy’s previous reluctance to support the bill.

Cody Carbone, head of the Digital Chamber, indicated that unresolved ethics concerns regarding lawmakers trading crypto tokens could present a significant obstacle before the bill reaches a floor vote. “I believe they will come to an agreement before bringing it to the floor, as they will need to ensure they secure the required 60 votes,” Carbone noted.

What the Clarity Act does

The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which passed the House previously with a 294 to 134 vote in July 2025, aims to delineate responsibilities between the SEC and CFTC. Digital commodities will fall under CFTC oversight, while digital securities will continue to be regulated by the SEC, addressing years of regulatory uncertainty that have impeded institutional investment in U.S. crypto markets.

Before heading to the President’s desk, the legislation needs to secure 60 votes on the Senate floor, undergo reconciliation with the Senate Agriculture Committee’s version, and align with the House text. The full 309-page bill can be accessed at congress.gov. Senators Lummis and Moreno have warned that missing the Memorial Day recess deadline of May 21 could postpone any further legislative opportunities until 2030.

White House adviser Patrick Witt confirmed that the administration will oppose any ethics provisions specifically aimed at the president, adding another layer to the ongoing negotiations required for a floor vote. Democratic senators have conditioned their support on comprehensive ethics provisions that apply to all lawmakers and public officials.

Coinbase VP Kara Calvert remarked at Consensus 2026 that bipartisan backing is critical and highlighted that at least 60 votes are necessary for the bill’s advancement. For Bitcoin, currently trading around $81,500, the committee vote acts mainly as a confidence signal.

The bill is crucial for BTC not merely because of its commodity classification, but more importantly for the broader effects a settled U.S. digital asset framework could have on institutional risk appetite across the market.