Meanwhile, Bitcoin and Ethereum stubbornly refuse to give up ground. Yesterday came a report that, just days after the Senate left Washington for a five?week recess without holding a procedural vote on the CLARITY Act, the SEC is moving to draft crypto regulation on its own.
That timing makes the upcoming SEC meeting on August 14 more than a routine regulatory event — it's a direct signal that the commission under Paul Atkins is shifting from waiting on Congress to taking independent action within its existing authority.
The lone item on the agenda is whether to propose new rules that would create a tailored offering regime for certain investment contracts involving crypto assets. The document is titled "Regulation Crypto." This is the SEC's first formal rulemaking since Atkins became chair, and the concept builds on the framework he publicly outlined after his speech at the DC Blockchain Summit. The proposal is structured around three legal mechanisms: startup relief, a larger exemption for capital raising, and a sort of safe harbor for investment contracts that would give projects a clear path out from under SEC jurisdiction once the team stops actively running the network and the token becomes effectively decentralized.
The three?member commission, all Republicans, is expected to approve publishing the draft for public comment — not a final rule. With the usual two- to three-month comment period and subsequent revisions, realistic implementation is unlikely until 2027.
What's happening can be described as the first in a series of rulemaking steps the agency will take to provide regulatory certainty after the Senate stalled ahead of its August recess. The next Senate vote on the CLARITY Act is scheduled for September 15 — the date White House adviser Patrick Witt called the last real chance for Democrats and Republicans to reach an agreement.
Trading recommendations
Bitcoin
Buyers are currently targeting a return to $65,000, which would open a straight path to $66,000, and from there up to $66,800 — clearing that level would signal attempts to restore a bull market. On the downside, buyers are expected at $63,400. A move back below that area could quickly push BTC toward $62,300. The farthest downside target is around $60,600.
Ethereum
A clear hold above $1,916 would open a straight path to $1,974. The farthest target is the high near $2,012; clearing that would indicate strengthening bullish sentiment and a return of buyer interest. On the downside, buyers are expected at $1,868. A move back below that area could quickly push ETH toward $1,834. The farthest downside target is around $1,782.
What's on the chart
- The red lines represent support and resistance levels, where the price is expected to either pause or react sharply.
- The green line shows the 50-day moving average.
- The blue line is the 100-day moving average.
- The lime line is the 200-day moving average.
Price testing or crossing any of these moving averages often either halts movement or injects fresh momentum into the market.
