By Brayan Juma — Chief Editor, GCHAM News
The crypto market has faced a significant setback as a regulatory bill aimed at providing clarity on the industry’s oversight has been postponed. The bill, known as the Clarity Act, would have determined whether the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) would have regulatory authority over crypto.
Coinbase, one of the largest crypto exchanges, has come out in opposition to the bill, citing concerns over the language used in the draft. The company’s CEO, wrote on X that Coinbase cannot support the bill as written, drawing both support and criticism from the crypto community.
The bill’s postponement has been seen as a setback for the crypto industry, which has been seeking clear regulations for years. The industry has been plagued by scams and fraud, with estimates suggesting that crypto scams and fraud drove at least $17 billion in losses in 2025.
Despite the setback, the crypto market has seen a surge in recent days, with bitcoin briefly jumping above $92,800. The surge has been attributed to a safe-haven bid, driven by concerns over the economy and the ongoing dispute between Fed Chair Powell and the DOJ.
The crypto market has also seen a significant increase in scams and fraud, with pig butchering schemes being a major concern. These schemes involve scammers tricking victims into believing they are part of a lucrative crypto investment platform before making off with their money.
Chainalysis has estimated that crypto scams and fraud drove at least $17 billion in losses in 2025, which is the highest level ever recorded. The feds have filed to seize billions that were stolen via these schemes, and there have been some significant recoveries, including the seizure of 61,000 bitcoin worth some $5.5 billion.
The crypto industry has been calling for clear regulations to help prevent these scams and to provide clarity on the industry’s oversight. However, the postponement of the Clarity Act has left the industry in limbo, and it remains to be seen how the regulatory landscape will evolve in the coming months.
In other news, the Los Angeles Kings played the Dallas Stars at the Crypto.com Arena on January 12th, 2026, with the Stars winning 3-1. The game was a significant event for the crypto community, with the Crypto.com Arena being a major sponsor of the Kings.
As the crypto market continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more regulatory clarity in the coming months. However, for now, the industry remains in a state of uncertainty, and it remains to be seen how the regulatory landscape will shape the future of crypto.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Clarity Act, and how will it impact the crypto industry? Reuters
- How big is the crypto scam market, and what can be done to prevent these scams? Bloomberg
- What is the current price of bitcoin, and how has it been affected by recent events? Reuters
- How has the crypto industry been impacted by the postponement of the Clarity Act? Bloomberg
- What is the significance of the Crypto.com Arena, and how is it related to the crypto industry? Reuters
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