Goldman Sachs: Crypto Market Structure Bill is a Key Catalyst for Markets and Should Be Passed in the First Half of 2026

On January 10, Goldman Sachs analyst James Yaro led a team in a report stating: "We believe that the improvement in the regulatory environment is a key driver for the continued adoption of cryptocurrencies by institutions, especially for buy-side and sell-side financial institutions, while new application scenarios for cryptocurrencies beyond trading are also developing." The report specifically mentioned the long-awaited U.S. Market Structure Act currently progressing in Congress, viewing it as a key catalyst.

Goldman Sachs analysts warned that the bill needs to pass in the first half of 2026, as the U.S. midterm elections in November may cause delays in the process.

Others have also echoed Goldman Sachs' predictions for Bitcoin and the crypto market. Jim Ferraioli, Director of Crypto Research and Strategy at Charles Schwab Financial Research Center, commented in an email: "After the sharp sell-off at the end of 2025, the pace of institutional adoption may slow down in the first half of this year, but the passage of the 'Clarity Act' could accelerate the entry of true institutional investors."

The anticipated wave of positive crypto legislation has pushed Bitcoin bulls to raise their price forecasts for Bitcoin in 2026. Youwei Yang, Chief Economist of Bit Mining, stated: "2026 could be a strong year for Bitcoin, with potential interest rate cuts and a more inclusive regulatory attitude towards the crypto sector providing support." He predicted that the Bitcoin price in 2026 could reach as high as $225,000, but also pointed out: "Under ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, market volatility may intensify."