A severe winter storm paralyzing Washington, D.C., has forced the Senate Agriculture Committee to postpone its critical markup of the landmark Crypto Market Structure Bill originally scheduled for today, January 27. The delay of the Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act comes at a precarious moment for the cryptocurrency market, with Bitcoin price $87000 support levels being tested following a massive $1.7 billion exodus from spot ETFs. While Committee Chair John Boozman (R-AR) aims to reschedule the session for Thursday, the legislative pause adds uncertainty to an industry already grappling with renewed volatility.

Senate Agriculture Committee Markup Stalled by Weather

The highly anticipated markup session, intended to advance the Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act (DCIA), was set to be a defining moment for digital asset regulation in 2026. However, with federal offices shuttered due to treacherous road conditions, the committee has pushed the proceedings to January 29. This legislation represents the Senate Agriculture Committee's primary effort to grant the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) exclusive jurisdiction over digital commodities, distinct from the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) purview.

Chair Boozman released an updated draft of the bill earlier this week, signaling a push to finalize the framework despite lingering partisan friction. While the bill aims to provide regulatory certainty, it faces hurdles from Democratic members, including Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). Reports indicate that amendments are being drafted to address concerns over conflicts of interest, specifically targeting "covered individuals" in federal office—a provision some insiders refer to as the "Digital Asset Ethics Act."

Partisan Divides and the "Clarity Act"

The DCIA is just one piece of the legislative puzzle. Industry observers are closely watching how this bill will eventually reconcile with the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY Act), a parallel measure moving through the Senate Banking Committee. The CLARITY Act, which focuses on market structure from a securities perspective, must align with the Agriculture Committee's commodities-focused framework to create a cohesive regulatory regime. The delay in today's markup extends the wait for a unified approach to SEC vs CFTC crypto regulation.

Bitcoin Price $87000 Support Tested Amid ETF Exodus

As lawmakers in D.C. wait out the storm, the crypto market is facing a storm of its own. Bitcoin is currently hovering precariously around $87,000, struggling to maintain momentum after failing to reclaim the $90,000 level earlier in the week. The selling pressure is being driven by a dramatic reversal in institutional sentiment, evidenced by significant Spot Bitcoin ETF outflows.

Data from the past two weeks reveals a staggering $1.73 billion has exited U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, marking the largest weekly outflow since November 2025. Major funds, including BlackRock’s IBIT and Fidelity’s FBTC, have seen net withdrawals as investors de-risk in response to macroeconomic signals and shifting expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts. This "risk-off" behavior has dampened the optimism that characterized the start of 2026, leaving traders to question whether the $87,000 floor will hold or if a deeper correction toward $80,000 is imminent.

New Era of Regulation: Atkins and Selig

The legislative delay also postponed a planned joint appearance by the heads of the two primary financial regulators. SEC Chair Paul Atkins and CFTC Chair Michael Selig were expected to discuss agency harmonization alongside the markup. Their absence today leaves the industry speculating on the nuances of the new "cooperative" regulatory stance promised by the administration.

Under Chair Atkins, the SEC has pivoted away from the enforcement-heavy approach of previous years, yet the lack of a finalized legislative structure keeps the market in limbo. The Crypto Market Structure Bill is designed to codify this new era, replacing "regulation by enforcement" with clear statutory lanes. Until the Senate Agriculture Committee can convene and pass the DCIA, however, the jurisdictional tug-of-war remains a source of friction for digital asset issuers and exchanges.

What to Watch For on Thursday

All eyes are now on the rescheduled session for Thursday, January 29. Market participants will be looking for two key outcomes: whether the bill passes the committee with bipartisan support, and if the controversial ethics amendments are adopted. A strong bipartisan vote could inject much-needed confidence into the market, potentially stemming the tide of cryptocurrency market news 2026 having been dominated by bearish sentiment this month.

Conversely, if the markup exposes deep rifts between Boozman and Klobuchar, or if the bill stalls further, it could exacerbate the selling pressure on Bitcoin. With the asset clinging to $87,000 and ETF investors hitting the exit button, the legislative signal sent from Capitol Hill this week will be a decisive factor in Bitcoin's near-term trajectory.