Morning Minute: Clarity Act Vote Falls Short as Democrats All Vote ‘No’
The Senate rejected cloture on the Clarity Act by 49–50, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance. The failure followed last-minute breakdowns over ethics and enforcement provisions, despite earlier concessions from Republicans. Crypto markets sold off immediately: Bitcoin fell to about $75,960, Ethereum to $2,401, Solana to $98.15, and XRP dropped sharply. The vote was only procedural, so passage this year is still possible, but the window is narrowing as the Senate nears its October recess and election timing gets tighter. Crypto groups are using the defeat to target lawmakers in public ratings and at the ballot box. Even so, the broader regulatory process is still moving: the CFTC and SEC are already pursuing crypto-related rule changes and guidance under existing authority. The result delays statutory clarity, but it does not stop near-term policy progress.
