Bitcoin and gold are back, but not yet, but only gold for now. But with the Iranian rial falling to record lows and confidence in the fiat currency continuing to waver, we are once again asking questions. In the midst of all this is developing US crypto legislation built around the proposed Clarity Act, which could reshape how cryptocurrencies are treated in the United States.
The draft US cryptocurrency bill has emerged just as traditional safe-haven assets are soaring. While gold and silver hit new highs, Bitcoin remains below recent resistance. But again, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins called this a significant week for cryptocurrencies and a public signal that regulation may eventually move from enforcement to a structure based on the Clarity Act framework.
This week is a big one for cryptocurrencies. Congress is upgrading financial markets for the 21st century.
I fully support Congress clarifying the division of jurisdiction between the SEC and @CFTC. pic.twitter.com/NtDWRW85kL— Paul Atkins (@SECPaulSAtkins) January 12, 2026
Progress of US virtual currency bill and discussion of clarity law
The Clarity Method was designed to accomplish something the market has been waiting for for years. Defined jurisdiction.
Under the current US cryptocurrency bill, most digital assets would be supervised by the CFTC as a commodity, rather than subject to oversight by the SEC. This change alone will change how projects are run and how investors assess risk.
Just in: The U.S. Senate announces the “Transparency Act” bill for the virtual currency market structure. pic.twitter.com/a6bGaMKKDq
— Bitcoin Junkies (@BitcoinJunkies) January 13, 2026
Sen. Cynthia Lummis also stepped up with related language that would protect Bitcoin developers from being classified as money transmitters. For us, this is important. It removes legal uncertainty without weakening oversight, and supporters of the Clarity Act believe clear rules will attract serious funding.
Public hearings are expected to take place this week, and details could be worked out, particularly regarding DeFi protections and stablecoin exclusions.
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Bitcoin, gold and precious metals move in parallel
While lawmakers debate policy, the market is voting. Gold reached a staggering $4,600 per ounce, silver rose to more than $85, and their combined market value now exceeds $15 trillion. Compared to this size, Bitcoin, the digital gold, still looks small at about $1.8 trillion, but the comparison is growing rapidly as institutional investors buy it.

(Source – Company Market Capitalization)
Bitcoin is currently at $91,800, which is still above the 200-day EMA and should be watched closely. Recent liquidations amounted to over $250 million, most of which came from long positions, although on-chain data shows that long-term holders are holding them. Even though volatility is still higher than metals, its resilience keeps the idea that “Bitcoin follows gold’s story” alive.
What’s next for Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies?
Technical signals are mixed but improving. RSI divergence and MACD stabilization indicate that downside pressure is fading. Above $94,300, you could be on your way to $95,000 and even $100,000.

(Source – TradingView)
Whether that happens may depend on the charts and Washington. Progress on the US crypto bill and approval of the Clarity Act could be the catalyst Bitcoin needs. For now, altcoins remain secondary, but if Bitcoin stabilizes, the rotation may continue. At the moment, the market is focused on transparency. Please stay strong.
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New Ethereum Income ETF launches as a bet on 2026
Well, you know what the crypto market needs? More ETH ETFs! To be fair, this new one does come with a twist. A new Ethereum-focused ETF has just been launched in the US and aims to turn ETH exposure into stable income. The move fits into a broader trend, as financial institutions increasingly seek to invest in crypto assets that behave like traditional financial products.
The NEOS Ethereum High Income ETF (NEHI), which debuted in December, is very interesting because rather than relying solely on price appreciation, the fund is designed to provide regular income linked to Ethereum.
While ETH has traded in a narrow range this week, ETF flows have been steady, indicating stable demand rather than short-term trading.

(Source: Coinmarketcap)
Last week, the Ethereum ETF recorded $168 million in net inflows, returning interest after a period of weakness. On a monthly basis, flows were down slightly by $19.4 million, suggesting some profit-taking, but no major exits. When we zoom out, the trend clearly turns positive. Over the past three months, the Ethereum ETF has seen net inflows of $236.2 million, reinforcing the idea that investors are gradually increasing their exposure rather than chasing price spikes.
Read the full story here.
Warren vs. Trump: Crypto retirement plan sparks SEC battle
Following a public spat between President Trump and SEC Chairman Jerome Powell, in which the Trump administration incorporated cryptocurrencies more deeply into U.S. retirement plans, Sen. Elizabeth Warren pressed the SEC to intervene.
Key figures in Washington have been at loggerheads since the Justice Department announced it was investigating Powell, with the SEC chairman firing back, accusing Trump of high-handed tactics. It’s no surprise that Sen. Warren would include herself in this story, given her longstanding policy on cryptocurrencies.
Amid the recent US political drama, Bitcoin has steadily climbed above $90,000 and is currently trading at $91,800, up about 0.4% in the past 24 hours. Until $90,000 is lost or $94,000 is broken, BTC USD will remain locked within a narrow range designed to chop leveraged traders in both directions.
The broader crypto sector remains stable, with privacy tokens surging to support the market as the overall market capitalization rose +0.5% overnight to remain above $3.2 trillion, according to CoinGecko.

(Source: CoinGecko)
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Cryptocurrency market news today, January 13th: As silver and gold hit new highs, the draft of the US Cryptocurrency Market Transparency Act is announced | The post Is Bitcoin next? The post appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
