Critical Threshold in US Crypto Regulation: March 1 Target for CLARITY Act

Rapid Progress for the CLARITY Act US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called on Congress to present the CLARITY Act, which aims to regulate digital asset markets, for President Donald Trump’s signature by the spring months.
Speaking to CNBC on February 13, 2026, Bessent argued that the bill would calm price fluctuations in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, providing confidence to investors.
Jurisdiction Sharing and Regulatory Framework According to current planning, authority over digital commodities such as Bitcoin spot markets will be granted to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), while the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will be responsible for investment contracts.
However, disagreements over stablecoin regulations continue to slow down the legislative process.
Sectoral Resistance and Political Obstacles The bill, facing political hurdles in Senate deliberations, has also drawn backlash from industry giants.
Treasury Secretary Bessent criticized Coinbase for opposing certain sections of the bill, stating that this step is essential for regulatory clarity.
The legislative process, which Senator Mark Warner described as "crypto hell in the Senate," remains under pressure due to resistance from the banking sector, political lobbies, and allegations regarding certain corporate acquisitions.
March 1 Deadline and Market Expectations Bessent has set March 1 as the target date to overcome internal industry disputes.
It is stated that if a compromise is not reached by this date, market uncertainty could increase and price stability could be negatively affected.
The enactment of the bill is seen as the most significant step expected to bring stability to the market following Bitcoin's approximately 50% loss in value since its peak in October 2025.