BTC Ownership Overtakes Gold in US, Democrats Reject CLARITY Draft, BitMEX Shutdown
Bitcoin has overtaken gold as the preferred hard asset among American investors, with 49.6 million Americans now holding BTC, according to financial services firm River. This milestone signals broader adoption as bitcoin surpasses gold in ownership.\n\nMeanwhile, regulatory uncertainty persists as seven Senate Democrats rejected the latest CLARITY Act draft, arguing it does not go far enough on ethics, consumer protection, and illicit finance. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, but its passage or failure could significantly impact the market.\n\nThe crypto industry also saw two major closures. BitMEX operator HDR Global Trading announced the permanent shutdown of the exchange effective September 23, 2026, ending an era for the derivatives platform that invented the perpetual swap. Additionally, Satsuma Technology shareholders voted to liquidate the company and sell its remaining 668 bitcoin, marking another casualty among bitcoin treasury firms.\n\nArk Invest CEO Cathie Wood also made headlines, endorsing SpaceX despite a 48% stock decline, though this story is less central to the crypto market’s immediate dynamics. These developments collectively highlight ongoing shifts in regulation, ownership trends, and industry consolidation.