Crypto Bill Delay Justified, Says Coinbase as CLARITY Act Advances

TLDR

• Coinbase executive John D’Agostino said the delay of the CLARITY Act is reasonable due to its structural complexity.
• He explained that the CLARITY Act addresses deeper market issues compared to the recently passed Genius Act.
• White House official David Sacks stated that the CLARITY Act could receive approval as early as January 2026.
• D’Agostino warned that talent is leaving the United States and this adds urgency to pass crypto regulation soon.
• CoinShares reported $952 million in crypto outflows which it linked to uncertainty caused by delays in the CLARITY Act.

The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, or CLARITY Act, continues on its legislative path, with industry voices addressing the timeline, and Coinbase Institutional’s head of strategy has defended the pace, citing its complexity, broader market impact, and international context, while outflows and market response suggest increasing regulatory impatience.

“Massive Flight of Talent” Will Propel the Legislation

John D’Agostino of Coinbase Institutional said the CLARITY Act requires time due to its structural complexity. He explained on CNBC that the bill’s framework is more complex than previous crypto-related legislation like the Genius Act.

He called the Genius Act “not simple, but transformative,” but noted it addressed simpler topics than the CLARITY Act. D’Agostino said, “It’s the kind of bill that is more foundational for the growth of crypto or any real asset class.”

He stated that delays are understandable because the legislation aims to reshape U.S. crypto markets in a permanent way. Still, he believes the current session will bring urgency back to passing the bill, especially after the Genius Act’s success.

White House and Global Pressure Build Momentum

White House crypto and AI czar David Sacks previously stated the bill could see approval in January 2026. On December 19, Sacks said,

He also noted that the administration hopes to “finish the job in January,” fueling anticipation of regulatory change. D’Agostino expressed confidence in U.S. lawmakers, referencing international pressure from Europe and the UAE.

He pointed to global regulations like MiCA as examples of how other jurisdictions are moving faster. This external momentum, he suggested, may urge U.S. officials to avoid falling behind in blockchain innovation.

He also said part of the urgency behind passing Genius was to slow the “massive flight of talent” overseas. D’Agostino warned that such trends would continue unless the CLARITY Act moved forward early in 2026.

Clarity Act Delays Have Led to Market Uncertainty, Says CoinShares

CoinShares cited nearly $1 billion in outflows during the week ending December 19 due to the CLARITY Act delays. In a recent report, the firm attributed $952 million in losses to prolonged U.S. regulatory uncertainty.

The outflows reflected investor frustration as the bill’s future remained unclear despite global progress elsewhere. CoinShares linked the timing of the drop to the lack of movement on the legislation, especially late in the year.

Meanwhile, veteran trader Peter Brandt dismissed the idea that the bill would affect Bitcoin’s valuation. He told Cointelegraph,

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