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According to Cointelegraph, the U.S. Senate Banking Committee has postponed its scheduled markup of a crypto market structure bill, originally set for Thursday, due to ongoing negotiations. Committee Chairman Tim Scott announced late Wednesday in Washington, DC, that the delay is necessary to continue bipartisan discussions aimed at securing broader support for the legislation. Scott emphasized the collaborative efforts involved, stating, "I’ve spoken with leaders across the crypto industry, the financial sector, and my Democratic and Republican colleagues, and everyone remains at the table working in good faith." He highlighted that the bill is the result of extensive bipartisan negotiations and incorporates feedback from various stakeholders, including innovators, investors, and law enforcement. The primary objective is to establish clear regulations that protect consumers, enhance national security, and ensure the future of finance is developed within the United States. The decision to delay follows a similar move by the Senate Agriculture Committee, which also postponed its markup of the crypto bill, initially planned for Thursday, to the end of the month. Republican Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman explained that the committee needs additional time to finalize the remaining details and secure the widespread support necessary for the legislation. This series of postponements underscores the complexity and significance of the proposed crypto regulations, as lawmakers strive to balance innovation with consumer protection and national security concerns. The ongoing negotiations reflect the commitment to crafting a comprehensive framework that addresses the diverse interests and challenges associated with the rapidly evolving crypto landscape.

According to ChainCatcher, Galaxy Research has issued a warning regarding the draft of the 'Clarity Act,' a crypto market structure bill currently under review by the U.S. Senate Banking Committee. The proposed legislation aims to significantly broaden the financial surveillance powers of the U.S. Treasury. The draft includes provisions that would allow transactions to be frozen without a court order and extend 'special measures' to decentralized finance front-ends. Alex Thorn, Head of Research at Galaxy Digital, stated that if these measures are enacted into law, it would represent the largest single expansion of financial surveillance powers since the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001.

U.S. senators have proposed more than 75 amendments ahead of this week’s Senate Banking Committee markup hearing on the long-awaited crypto market structure legislation, underscoring how contested key sections of the bill remain, according to a document obtained by CoinDesk.The amendments — filed by lawmakers from both parties — span more than 100 distinct policy items, ranging from stablecoin yield restrictions and DeFi definitions to ethics provisions, software developer protections, and government corruption safeguards.High-stakes markup hearing set for ThursdayThe Senate Banking Committee is scheduled to hold a markup hearing on Thursday, during which lawmakers will debate, amend, and vote on whether to advance the underlying bill. A parallel markup by the Senate Agriculture Committee has been rescheduled for late January.The base text of the Banking Committee’s version of the bill was released just before midnight on Monday, prompting a rapid review process by lawmakers, staffers, and industry advocates ahead of the amendment deadline.As is typical in congressional markups, most proposed amendments are unlikely to survive, either failing outright or being withdrawn as part of last-minute negotiations.Stablecoin yield emerges as a central fault lineOne of the most heavily targeted sections of the bill concerns stablecoin rewards and yield, which has drawn scrutiny from both Democrats and Republicans.Among the most notable proposals:Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) jointly submitted amendments aimed at revising the bill’s stablecoin yield language.One amendment would remove the word “solely” from a clause that currently states digital asset service providers may not pay interest or yield “solely in connection with the holding of a payment stablecoin.”Another would impose enhanced reporting and risk disclosure requirements for any yield-bearing arrangements.Several additional amendments go further, proposing to eliminate stablecoin yield entirely, reflecting lingering concerns over consumer protection, financial stability, and regulatory arbitrage.Ethics and political conflict remain unresolvedDemocratic lawmakers have continued to push for ethics-related provisions, particularly concerning President Donald Trump’s personal and family ties to crypto ventures.While earlier negotiations suggested that Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) was leading talks on ethics language, none of the publicly described amendments attributed to him directly address the issue.Instead:Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) proposed an anti-corruption amendment, alongside an anti-touting requirement that would mandate disclosure of financial interests related to crypto.A Democratic aide told CoinDesk that ethics remain a key sticking point, with negotiations ongoing and no final compromise yet reached.Regulatory balance and agency governance in focusOther amendments address broader regulatory structure concerns:Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) introduced a proposal on quorum requirements, reflecting Democratic frustration that the SEC and CFTC are currently led solely by Republican commissioners, contrary to the agencies’ intended bipartisan design.Additional amendments seek to clarify definitions around digital asset mixers, software development, and DeFi protocol liability, areas that have drawn intense industry lobbying.Broad bipartisan participationAccording to the amendment list, Democratic senators filing proposals include:Ruben GallegoAngela AlsobrooksLisa Blunt RochesterJack ReedAndy KimRaphael WarnockCatherine Cortez MastoElizabeth WarrenChris Van HollenRepublican sponsors include:Thom TillisMike RoundsBill HagertyPete RickettsKatie BrittJohn KennedyCynthia LummisKevin CramerTim ScottWhat happens nextWhile the sheer volume of amendments highlights unresolved policy tensions, most are expected to be pared back or abandoned during the markup process.What remains uncertain is whether lawmakers can strike a bipartisan compromise on the most sensitive issues — particularly stablecoin yield, ethics, and DeFi treatment — before the bill advances to a full Senate vote.Failure to resolve these issues could slow or derail progress on what would otherwise be the most comprehensive U.S. crypto market structure framework to date, with significant implications for institutional adoption and regulatory certainty.

According to ChainCatcher, the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) has reported that nearly one-third of cryptocurrency companies operating in France without an EU license have yet to inform regulators whether they plan to apply for a license or cease operations by July. Currently, among approximately 90 registered crypto firms lacking MiCA authorization, 30% have applied for a license, 40% have explicitly stated they will not apply, and the remaining 30% have not disclosed their plans. The transitional period for crypto regulation in France is set to conclude on June 30, with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) requiring unauthorized companies to establish or implement an orderly exit strategy before the deadline.

According to Odaily, Anatoly Aksakov, Chairman of the Financial Markets Committee of the Russian State Duma, announced that a bill aimed at removing cryptocurrencies from the 'special financial regulation' framework is ready. This legislation could make cryptocurrency a common aspect of life for Russian residents.In an interview with Russian national television, Aksakov stated that the State Duma will focus on issues related to digital financial assets and cryptocurrencies during the upcoming spring session. The proposed bill intends to stop treating cryptocurrencies as special regulatory objects, thereby normalizing their use.Aksakov also mentioned that the bill allows non-professional investors to participate in the cryptocurrency market, with a cap set at 300,000 rubles for individual digital currency purchases. Professional financial market participants will not face such restrictions. Additionally, cryptocurrencies could be used for international settlements and, once issued in Russia, could further enter financial markets in other countries.

According to Odaily, the Ugandan government has cut off internet access nationwide during the presidential election, leading to a surge in downloads of the encrypted communication app Bitchat. The Uganda Communications Commission confirmed that the internet shutdown took effect at 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday and will remain in place throughout the election period.Bitchat, which enables encrypted communication without internet via a Bluetooth mesh network, has topped the download charts on both the Apple App Store and Google Play in Uganda. Additionally, several VPN applications have also seen high download rates, indicating a significant increase in the public's demand for information access ahead of the election.The Ugandan government stated that the internet shutdown aims to prevent the spread of false information during the election. However, critics argue that this move could restrict the flow of election-related information. The Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission had previously stated that there would be no internet shutdown, yet the measure was implemented. As of early January, over 400,000 users in Uganda had downloaded Bitchat.This marks the third consecutive presidential election in Uganda where a nationwide internet shutdown has been enforced, with similar actions taken during the 2016 and 2021 elections. The report also notes that Bitchat has been widely used in various countries facing internet restrictions or sudden disasters, becoming a popular alternative communication tool in such environments.

According to Odaily, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee has postponed its hearing on the crypto market structure bill, initially set for January 15. The bill's text will now be released on January 21, with a markup hearing scheduled for January 27. The committee stated that this adjustment aims to ensure transparency in the legislative process and provide members with ample time for review.Committee Chairman John Boozman emphasized that the bill seeks to offer clarity and certainty to the crypto market, supporting U.S. innovation while safeguarding consumers. Meanwhile, the Senate Banking Committee is set to hold a separate markup hearing on its version of the crypto market structure bill this week. The Agriculture Committee's version has yet to release its official text, with ongoing debates surrounding ethical provisions and the composition of regulatory agency members.

According to Cointelegraph, stablecoins became a focal point during JPMorgan Chase's fourth-quarter earnings call, where executives voiced their support for blockchain technology while cautioning against certain stablecoin designs that could pose risks to the regulated banking system. This discussion was prompted by a question from Evercore analyst Glenn Schorr, who inquired about stablecoins in the context of recent lobbying efforts by the American Bankers Association and ongoing legislative discussions concerning digital assets. JPMorgan's chief financial officer, Jeremy Barnum, responded by aligning the bank's stance with the GENIUS Act, which aims to establish regulatory frameworks for stablecoin issuance. Barnum expressed concerns about interest-bearing stablecoins that mimic traditional banking functions without equivalent oversight. He highlighted the dangers of creating a parallel banking system that offers features similar to traditional banking, such as interest-bearing deposits, without the prudential safeguards developed over centuries of bank regulation. Barnum emphasized that while JPMorgan supports competition and innovation, it opposes the development of a parallel banking system operating outside established regulatory protections. As reported by Cointelegraph last May, the U.S. banking lobby perceives yield-bearing stablecoins as a significant threat to its business model, with industry insiders describing the response as a "panic." The rapid growth of stablecoins as tools for payments, on-chain settlement, and dollar access, offering faster transactions and lower costs, intensifies this threat. The potential introduction of yield-bearing versions further exacerbates concerns, especially as banks continue to offer relatively modest interest rates to depositors. Stablecoin rewards have become a contentious issue among U.S. lawmakers deliberating the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, a comprehensive proposal aimed at clarifying regulatory jurisdiction over digital assets and defining the supervision of crypto-related activities. An amended draft of the legislation released this week indicates that digital asset service providers would be prohibited from paying interest or yield "solely in connection with the holding of a stablecoin," reflecting lawmakers' intent to prevent stablecoins from functioning like bank deposits. However, the draft allows for certain incentive structures linked to broader ecosystem participation, such as rewards for liquidity provision, governance activities, staking, and other network-related functions, rather than passive yield for holding a dollar-pegged token.

According to Cointelegraph, U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis and Ron Wyden have introduced the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA) to exempt blockchain developers and service providers who do not directly handle user funds from money transmitter regulations. The legislation, introduced on Monday, seeks to clarify that activities such as writing software or maintaining networks should not trigger federal or state money-transfer requirements. This move addresses growing concerns among crypto developers about potential criminal liability for how their software is used. Last year, Tornado Cash co-founders Roman Storm and Alexey Pertsev were found guilty of operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business related to a mixing protocol. Senator Lummis emphasized that the bill aims to provide developers with the necessary clarity to innovate in digital finance without fear of prosecution for activities that do not pose money laundering risks. She noted that the current regulatory uncertainty has driven innovation offshore and subjected developers to conflicting state regulations. Lummis stated that blockchain developers who write code and maintain open-source infrastructure have been unfairly classified as money transmitters, which limits innovation. She argued that this designation is inappropriate as these developers do not touch, control, or access user funds, and it is time to stop treating them as banks merely for writing code. The crypto market structure bill, which includes similar protections, is set for a markup with the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday. However, provisions in a draft bill are not guaranteed and may be amended, diluted, or removed during the markup process before it is voted into law. The Senate Agriculture Committee, another panel that needs to approve the market structure effort, has postponed its hearing until the last week of January, as stated by Chairman John Boozman. The BRCA has received approval from several groups within the crypto industry. The DeFi Education Fund, a crypto lobby group, expressed support in a social media post, stating that the bill provides essential protections for developers of non-custodial, decentralized technologies. They urged Congressional leaders to prioritize clarity and protections for software developers. The Blockchain Association, a non-profit crypto advocacy organization, highlighted the importance of clear rules for innovation in the U.S. and stressed that the BRCA should remain part of market structure legislation. Alexander Grieve, vice president of government affairs for investment firm Paradigm, described the BRCA as crucial legislation to support U.S. blockchain development.

According to BlockBeats, on January 13, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has launched a comprehensive campaign against 'grey funds' and illegal financial flows, ordering stricter regulations on gold trading and digital assets. In the digital asset sector, the government will rigorously enforce the 'Travel Rule,' mandating identification of both sender and receiver in all wallet-to-wallet transfers to eliminate anonymity. Additionally, Thailand plans to establish a National Data Bureau to centralize financial data management, enabling regulatory bodies to track suspicious transactions in real-time.

According to Cointelegraph, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has implemented significant changes to its Crypto Token Regulatory Framework, transferring the responsibility for assessing crypto token suitability from the regulator to licensed companies within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This update, effective from Monday, requires financial service providers dealing with crypto tokens to evaluate whether the tokens they handle meet the DFSA's suitability standards. Consequently, the DFSA will no longer maintain or publish a list of recognized crypto tokens. This regulatory shift follows a consultation process initiated in October 2025 and marks a change in the DFSA's approach since the introduction of its crypto token regime in 2022. The DFSA has been actively monitoring developments and engaging with stakeholders to ensure the framework aligns with global standards. Charlotte Robins, managing director of policy and legal at the DFSA, stated that the changes represent a move towards a more flexible and principles-based model, reflecting the DFSA's progressive stance on innovation and market feedback. The updated framework does not explicitly ban any specific category of digital assets by name. However, it reallocates the responsibility for assessing token suitability to licensed firms within the DIFC. Although there is no explicit ban, privacy-focused tokens such as Monero (XMR) and Zcash (ZEC) may face increased scrutiny under the new framework. Internal compliance teams might consider these tokens higher risk, prompting firms to apply stricter due diligence standards or avoid supporting them altogether. This change underscores a key jurisdictional distinction, as the DFSA regulates financial services within the DIFC, which operates under a common-law framework separate from Dubai's onshore regulatory regime. Other jurisdictions in Dubai and the UAE are governed by different crypto regulators with their own rulebooks. The DFSA's principles-based approach contrasts with the stance taken elsewhere in Dubai. As reported by Cointelegraph in February 2023, the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) introduced an explicit ban on privacy coins under its Virtual Assets and Related Activities Regulations 2023. VARA's rules prohibit the issuance of "anonymity-enhanced cryptocurrencies" and all related virtual asset activities within its jurisdiction, covering most of Dubai outside the DIFC. Across the wider UAE, crypto regulation remains fragmented. Abu Dhabi's regulator, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), adopts a conservative, risk-based approach without an outright ban, while federal regulators emphasize anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing compliance. Consequently, privacy-focused crypto assets are not uniformly illegal across the UAE, but their treatment varies significantly by jurisdiction.

According to ChainCatcher, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has extended the decision period for two cryptocurrency-related exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and opened public comments on a third crypto fund option. The SEC announced in the Federal Register that it will prolong the consideration of proposals to list the Canary Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) ETF on Cboe BZX and the T. Rowe Price Active Crypto ETF on NYSE Arca. Both applications follow the SEC's standard 19b-4 process, which allows the regulatory body to extend the initial decision window by up to 45 days.

According to BlockBeats, the crypto market is set to experience two significant events on January 15. The first involves the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, which will vote on the CLARITY Act. This legislation aims to combat fraudulent and deceptive trading practices, false trading volumes, and mandates proof of reserves, potentially addressing longstanding regulatory issues in the cryptocurrency sector.Additionally, January 15 marks BitMine's shareholder day, where shareholders will vote on a proposal to increase the number of shares from 500 million to 50 billion. If approved, BitMine will secure additional funds to purchase ETH, potentially boosting expectations for ETH prices.

According to Odaily, the South Korean Financial Services Commission has finalized guidelines permitting listed companies and professional investors to trade cryptocurrencies. This new regulation ends a nine-year prohibition, allowing eligible corporate entities to invest up to 5% of their net assets annually in the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization on South Korea's five major exchanges.The policy shift is expected to grant market access to approximately 3,500 entities, including listed companies and registered professional investment institutions. Regulatory authorities will also require exchanges to implement staggered execution and order size limits. Discussions are ongoing regarding the eligibility of dollar-pegged stablecoins like USDT for investment.

According to ChainCatcher, U.S. President Donald Trump has denied any involvement with the U.S. Department of Justice in filing a criminal case against Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Trump stated that the federal court's subpoena to Powell is unrelated to any decisions regarding interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

According to Foresight News, seven Labour MPs who chair parliamentary committees have urged the UK government to prohibit cryptocurrency political donations in the forthcoming Election Bill. The letter, co-signed by Liam Byrne, Chair of the Business and Trade Select Committee, and six colleagues, highlights concerns that crypto donations undermine the transparency, traceability, and regulatory effectiveness of political funding. The MPs argue that cryptocurrencies can obscure the true source of funds, facilitate numerous small donations below disclosure thresholds, and expose UK politics to the risk of foreign interference. The Electoral Commission has warned that current technology makes these risks challenging to manage.

According to ChainCatcher, Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) has officially approved and issued a license to ICEx, making it the country's second cryptocurrency exchange platform.

According to ChainCatcher, U.S. Republican Senator Thom Tillis has stated that no Federal Reserve nominees, including the chair, will be confirmed until the legal case involving Jerome Powell is resolved.

According to Cointelegraph, India's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has introduced new guidelines aimed at strengthening the onboarding process for users on cryptocurrency platforms. These regulations require crypto exchanges to implement more stringent verification methods, including live selfie pictures and geographic location checks. The Times of India reports that the selfie verification process involves software that monitors users' eye and head movements to prevent AI deep fakes from circumventing the know-your-customer (KYC) protocols. Additionally, exchanges are mandated to collect geolocation data and IP addresses during account creation, along with a timestamp of the account setup. To comply with anti-money laundering (AML) requirements, exchanges must verify user bank accounts by initiating a small transaction. Users are also required to provide additional government-issued photo identification and verify their email and mobile numbers to establish an account with a registered crypto exchange. These measures reflect India's regulatory approach to cryptocurrencies and digital assets, considering the country's vast market potential with a population exceeding 1.4 billion. The influx of Indian users into the crypto space could potentially lead to increased investment opportunities. In related developments, India's Income Tax Department (ITD) officials met with parliamentary lawmakers to discuss the challenges posed by cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance platforms in tax enforcement. The ITD highlighted that decentralized exchanges, anonymous wallets, and the cross-border nature of crypto transactions complicate taxation efforts. Jurisdictional differences in tax regulations further hinder efficient taxation of cryptocurrencies. Under India's Income Tax Act, gains from cryptocurrency sales are taxed at a rate of 30%, with deductions limited to the cost basis against the gains. Crypto traders in India are unable to offset gains with losses from other transactions, as tax loss harvesting is not permitted. These discussions underscore the ongoing complexities in regulating and taxing the rapidly evolving crypto landscape in India.

According to Foresight News, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated that while stablecoins have the potential to expand financial services and drive innovation, they also pose risks such as currency substitution and market volatility. Consequently, global regulatory cooperation is deemed essential. The IMF is currently collaborating with the Financial Stability Board (FSB), the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), and other organizations to address regulatory gaps and enhance industry oversight.