Ethereum Plunges to $2,402 as CLARITY Act Fails in Senate Vote

The Senate's failure to advance the CLARITY Act on September 15, 2026, sent Ethereum prices plummeting to $2,402. The bill, which aimed to regulate staking, DeFi, and stablecoin yields, fell short of the 60-vote threshold needed for cloture. With a 49-50 vote, all Democrats opposed the legislation, including those who had negotiated its text.

The Senate's inaction leaves the SEC's enforcement discretion over these areas unchanged until at least 2027. Meanwhile, institutional demand for Ethereum remains strong, with U.S. spot ETFs recording $216 million in inflows on September 11 and $824 million during the week of August 24.