Yeliz Akmaca 
The crypto market has entered the new year on a strong footing, with attention shifting from price charts to Washington’s legislative calendar. The delay of the long-awaited Clarity Act has clouded regulatory clarity, yet the market is not treating this uncertainty as a reason to sell. Instead, prices appear to have already priced in regulatory expectations. Why the legislation was removed from the schedule in mid-January remains unclear.
Bitcoin holding above $95,000, Ethereum maintaining the $3,300 range, and XRP staying above $2.05 indicate that investor sentiment is still bullish. Importantly, these levels are supported not only by technical momentum but also by increasing institutional positioning.
Clarity Act Delay and the Coinbase Factor
The Clarity Act, originally set for a mid-January vote in the U.S. Senate, has been indefinitely postponed, initially triggering negative sentiment. The process became even more complex when Coinbase withdrew its support for the bill. Official statements rejected political pressure as a factor, but behind the scenes, traditional financial players are reportedly influencing legislators.
Nevertheless, market consensus suggests the delay does not equate to cancellation. On the contrary, as the bill’s content becomes clearer and consensus widens, any eventual approval could have a stronger impact—explaining why investors haven’t fled risk aggressively.
Bitcoin Holds Above $95,000 Amid Institutional Inflows
Bitcoin has been trading in a narrow band around $95,000 in recent days. This consolidation is not a weakness; rather, it shows that institutional purchases are being absorbed over time. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $1.42 billion in net inflows over just a few days, helping prices remain above $95,000.
A technically strong close above $95,850 could signal that institutional demand is increasingly reflected in price. Conversely, weakness below $94,500 may indicate short-term profit-taking, potentially pushing BTC toward the $92,800 demand zone, a key area for market direction confirmation.
Ethereum Shows Temporary Weakness
Ethereum appears more fragile compared to Bitcoin. Resistance tests in the ETH/BTC pair have contributed to a temporary slowdown, with ETH potentially retracing toward $3,180.
Despite this, on-chain data and institutional inflows suggest the medium-term outlook remains positive. Recent single purchases of 20,000 ETH and ETF inflows in the hundreds of millions indicate that these retracements are more about repositioning than selling. As long as ETH stays above $3,060, the market tolerates these adjustments.
XRP Reacts to Regulatory Expectations
XRP continues to be among the few assets directly influenced by Clarity Act discussions. The potential for regulatory clarity to resolve XRP’s long-standing legal uncertainties quickly explains this sensitivity.
Holding above $2.05 shows that regulatory considerations remain in play. A potential approval could trigger both technical and perceptual price movements. Compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum, XRP faces a more delicate timing risk.
Are New Highs Possible Without Regulatory Clarity?
The market currently signals that fresh highs are possible even before the Clarity Act passes, but their sustainability is uncertain. The real turning point depends on whether institutional sentiment shifts after any approval.
For now, prices continue to price in expectations, and upward attempts may persist. However, as the process drags on, investor patience will likely be tested.
You can also freely share your thoughts and comments about the topic in the comment section. Additionally, don’t forget to follow us on our Telegram, YouTube, and Twitter channels for the latest news and updates.