Senate Expected to Vote on CLARITY Act for Digital Assets on Sept. 15

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins expects the Senate to hold a key procedural vote on the CLARITY Act on September 15, a critical test for landmark legislation that would establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets in the United States. The vote, a cloture motion on the motion to proceed, will determine whether the chamber can begin formal debate on the bill, which has been delayed since before the August recess. The CLARITY Act, which passed the House of Representatives in July 2025, aims to create a clear division of regulatory authority between the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for digital assets. Under the proposed structure, the SEC would oversee tokens classified as securities or investment contracts, while the CFTC would regulate qualifying digital commodities and certain aspects of the spot market. The bill also includes registration requirements for crypto companies, antimoney laundering obligations, and standards for customer asset segregation and conflict disclosures. Despite its bipartisan origins, the bill's path through the Senate has been fraught with disputes.