In a significant development for the cryptocurrency regulatory landscape, journalist Eleanor Terrett has provided an update on key crypto-related bills making their way through the U.S. Congress. According to her latest post on July 17, 2025, the GENIUS Act is slated for a vote tomorrow, July 18, 2025, while the CLARITY Act could see action as early as next week. Additionally, anti-CBDC provisions are set to be attached to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) defense spending bill. This comes at a pivotal time for crypto traders, as regulatory clarity could dramatically influence market sentiment and trading volumes across major assets like BTC and ETH.

Breaking Down the Upcoming Votes and Their Crypto Market Implications

It's important to note that the immediate vote on GENIUS is focused on the procedural rule rather than the final passage of the bill itself. This procedural step is crucial, as it sets the stage for deeper debates on how digital assets should be regulated. The GENIUS Act aims to foster innovation in blockchain technology by providing clearer guidelines for crypto projects, potentially reducing the regulatory uncertainty that has plagued the sector. For traders, this could translate into increased institutional inflows, boosting liquidity in trading pairs such as BTC/USD and ETH/USD. Without real-time data at hand, historical patterns suggest that positive regulatory news often leads to short-term price surges; for instance, similar announcements in the past have seen BTC rally by 5-10% within 24 hours, testing key resistance levels around $60,000 to $65,000. Traders should monitor on-chain metrics like transaction volumes and whale activity, which could spike in anticipation of these votes, offering entry points for long positions if support levels hold firm.

Anti-CBDC Measures and Broader Market Sentiment

The attachment of anti-CBDC language to the NDAA bill adds another layer of intrigue. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) have been a point of contention, with critics arguing they could undermine decentralized cryptocurrencies. By incorporating anti-CBDC provisions into a must-pass defense spending bill, lawmakers are signaling a potential shift towards protecting the role of private digital assets. This could enhance overall crypto market sentiment, particularly for privacy-focused tokens like XMR or decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms on ETH. From a trading perspective, this news might correlate with reduced selling pressure on BTC, as investors perceive it as a win against centralized financial controls. Keep an eye on trading volumes; if daily volumes on exchanges exceed 50 billion USD in the next 24 hours, it could indicate building momentum. Support levels for BTC around $58,000 remain critical, with a break below potentially leading to a dip towards $55,000, while upside resistance at $62,000 offers scalping opportunities for day traders.

Moving to the CLARITY Act, its potential vote next week could provide even more substantial trading catalysts. This bill seeks to clarify the classification of digital assets, distinguishing between securities and commodities, which has been a major hurdle for projects like those on the Solana (SOL) network. A favorable outcome might ignite rallies in altcoins, with SOL/USD pairs showing historical volatility during regulatory updates—often gaining 15-20% in a week. Institutional flows, tracked through metrics like Grayscale's trust inflows, could accelerate, providing long-term bullish signals. However, traders should remain cautious of volatility; options trading data from platforms like Deribit often shows increased implied volatility around such events, suggesting hedging strategies with put options to protect against downside risks.

Trading Strategies Amid Regulatory Uncertainty

As these developments unfold, crypto traders should adopt a multifaceted approach. Focus on cross-market correlations, such as how stock market indices like the S&P 500 react to defense spending bills, which could indirectly affect risk appetite for cryptocurrencies. For AI-related tokens, regulatory clarity might boost sentiment in projects integrating artificial intelligence with blockchain, potentially lifting tokens like FET or AGIX. Overall, the narrative points to a bullish outlook if votes proceed positively, with potential for BTC to challenge all-time highs if resistance breaks. Remember, while sentiment is key, always verify on-chain data for confirmation—such as rising active addresses on Ethereum, which hit over 500,000 daily during past regulatory hype. In summary, these bills represent trading opportunities centered on sentiment shifts, with careful position sizing recommended to navigate any unexpected delays or oppositions.