Bitcoin slips as CLARITY Act stalls

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – January 19, 2026: Bitcoin has retreated by approximately 6% after reaching highs of nearly USD 98,000 earlier last week, as uncertainty surrounding US crypto regulation and renewed trade tensions weighed on broader market sentiment.

The pullback follows delays in the approval of the US crypto market structure bill, known as the CLARITY Act, alongside resurfacing tariff concerns between the United States and the European Union, which have unsettled risk appetite across global markets.

He added that traditional banks have raised concerns that allowing yield-bearing stablecoins could divert deposits away from the banking system, potentially posing risks to financial stability. In contrast, parts of the crypto industry argue that restrictions on stablecoin yields are an attempt by traditional finance to suppress competition.

Despite the recent price decline, investor interest in digital assets remains evident. US spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded their strongest weekly inflows since October, indicating continued institutional demand.

Looking ahead, market participants will be closely monitoring key US macroeconomic data releases this week, including Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation data — the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge — and US GDP figures due on Thursday.

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This article was originally published as Bitcoin slips as CLARITY Act stalls on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.