New York, Jan 16, 2026, 17:21 EST — After-hours.
- XRP hovered around $2.07 in late New York trading, edging down slightly for the day
- The Senate Banking Committee has delayed the scheduled markup on the CLARITY Act following objections from Coinbase’s CEO.
- Ripple highlights new strides in European licensing while investors focus on upcoming U.S. legislative deadlines
XRP slipped Friday as U.S. senators delayed a crucial move on a long-awaited crypto market-structure bill, cooling expectations for quicker regulatory clarity.
This battle goes beyond procedure. The bill aims to clarify the boundaries between U.S. regulators, defining when a token qualifies as a security or a commodity — a key issue that still shapes how major exchanges list and trade coins.
When it comes to XRP, the token linked to payments company Ripple, policy headlines often drive trading just as much as shifts in bond yields.
XRP hovered near $2.07 late in New York trading, slipping about 0.1% after dropping 2.8% on Thursday. Throughout the session, it fluctuated between roughly $2.03 and $2.09. (Investing)
The Senate Banking Committee delayed its scheduled debate after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said the exchange couldn’t back the bill as it stands. Armstrong called the proposal riddled with “too many issues” and added, “We’d rather have no bill than a bad bill.” According to Reuters, the legislation would ban crypto firms from paying interest just for holding stablecoins but would still allow rewards linked to actions like sending payments or joining loyalty programs. (Reuters)
The committee had originally scheduled an executive session for Thursday to review H.R.3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025, but the calendar now marks it as “POSTPONED.” This markup, where lawmakers hash out amendments and decide on advancing the bill, has been delayed. (Senate Banking Committee)
Ripple highlighted a separate development, announcing it has gained preliminary approval for an electronic money institution licence in Luxembourg from the CSSF. This move is expected to boost Ripple Payments’ reach across the European Union. “The EU was amongst the first major jurisdictions to introduce comprehensive digital assets regulation,” said Ripple President Monica Long. (Ripple)
Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott said bipartisan talks are ongoing, with “everyone remains at the table working in good faith” as lawmakers strive to establish “clear rules of the road.” (Senate Banking Committee)
Still, the delay highlighted a recurring risk in crypto: policy schedules often slip, and bill language can shift rapidly when banks and industry lobbyists apply pressure. That leaves tokens vulnerable if the market turns cautious.
Investors are turning their attention to the Senate Agriculture Committee next. Chairman John Boozman announced the panel aims to publish legislative text by the end of Jan. 21 and schedule a markup for 3 p.m. on Jan. 27. Traders will also be watching the Banking Committee for any reset date announcements, plus whether the updated wording keeps stablecoin rewards intact. (Senate Committee on Agriculture)
