Binance altcoin inflows have climbed to a seven-day average of roughly 31,800 deposit transactions as crypto markets prepare for the CLARITY Act vote and Wednesday’s Federal Reserve decision.

CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost reported the increase in a Sept. 15 market update, saying Binance’s seven-day average had risen from approximately 8,300 transactions in July. The latest figure is about 3.8 times the July level.

The same data showed increased activity at other centralized exchanges, although Binance recorded the largest count. Coinbase rose from roughly 2,200 altcoin inflow transactions to 4,700, while Bybit reached around 2,700, according to Darkfost.

Binance altcoin inflows approach four times July levels

The data tracks the number of deposits sent to exchange wallets, not their dollar value. CryptoQuant’s exchange transactions guide defines inflow transaction count as the total number of deposits made to an exchange. CryptoQuant says an increasing count can show rising participation and exchange activity.

A high transaction count does not establish that the deposited tokens were subsequently sold. CryptoQuant states that spot-market inflows have historically been associated with increased potential selling activity because assets entering exchange wallets become available for trading. Transaction counts alone do not identify trade direction, deposit size or whether an individual depositor intends to sell.

Against that background, Darkfost said the increase “could be tied to selling pressure” but noted that pressure was not unusually high at the time of his analysis. The assessment remains an interpretation of the flow data, not confirmation that the deposited altcoins have been sold.

Binance has recorded comparable bursts of altcoin deposit activity earlier in 2026. In April, the exchange logged roughly 34,000 altcoin inflow transactions during a single-day surge, according to CryptoQuant-based reporting. Activity then was concentrated heavily at Binance and did not appear at the same scale across Coinbase and Bybit.

The latest data differs because transaction counts have increased at several exchanges, based on Darkfost’s Sept. 15 figures.

Darkfost had found in June that 84% of Binance-listed spot altcoins were trading below their 200-day moving averages. His earlier research described a market in which altcoin performance remained closely tied to Bitcoin.

Altcoin market value has risen alongside exchange deposits

The latest increase in deposits follows a recovery across digital assets from late-August lows. Darkfost said TOTAL3, the index commonly used to track the crypto market capitalization excluding Bitcoin and Ethereum, had gained more than $136 billion over the period examined in his analysis.

TradingView’s TOTAL3 index tracks the combined market capitalization of cryptocurrencies outside Bitcoin and Ethereum. Darkfost linked the increase in altcoin value with the possibility of traders taking profits, though the transaction data does not establish that profit-taking has occurred.

Bitcoin has meanwhile recovered sharply from its August lows. Reuters reported that BTC spent months close to two-year lows around $60,000 before rebounding above $70,000 in late August as Treasury yields briefly eased and market sentiment improved.

Bitcoin subsequently traded around $78,000 heading into Sept. 15. The move from approximately $60,000 to $78,000 represents roughly a 30% recovery, although it developed from the late-August low through September rather than occurring in only a few days.

Exchange deposits have previously risen during periods of volatility. More than 550,000 BTC had moved through deposit addresses linked to Binance and OKX while Bitcoin tested $60,000. CryptoQuant cautioned then that exchange transfers can indicate possible selling pressure without proving a sale occurred.

CLARITY Act vote gives traders the first policy test

The first major scheduled event is the U.S. Senate’s CLARITY Act procedural vote. The official Senate schedule says the cloture motion on H.R. 3633 will ripen at approximately 2:15 p.m. ET on Sept. 15.

Cloture requires 60 votes and determines whether the Senate can proceed to consideration of the crypto market-structure legislation. It is not the final vote on passage.

Republicans released revised text before the vote after months of negotiations. Reuters reported that the latest proposal incorporates 126 changes requested by Democrats and contains revised rules covering government officials’ crypto interests. Whether those revisions secure enough votes remained uncertain Tuesday morning.

As crypto.news reported ahead of the vote, the motion needs 60 senators to advance while Republicans hold 53 seats. Democratic or independent support is therefore required even if every Republican backs cloture.

In addition, ethics rules, DeFi provisions and stablecoin rewards were among the issues still under negotiation before the Sept. 15 vote.

Fed rate hike odds rise to 93% before Wednesday

The second scheduled test arrives one day later. The Federal Reserve’s official calendar confirms that the Federal Open Market Committee is meeting Sept. 15–16, with the September meeting accompanied by updated economic projections.

Market pricing has moved since Darkfost cited roughly 92% odds of a rate increase. Reuters reported early Tuesday that CME FedWatch probabilities had risen to approximately 93% after higher oil prices and recent economic data strengthened expectations for a hike. The probability represents futures-market pricing and is not a Federal Reserve commitment.

At the same time, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 5.0266% during Asian trading Tuesday, its highest level since 2007, while Brent crude remained near $107 a barrel. Reuters linked the moves to renewed inflation concerns before the Fed decision.

As crypto.news previously examined, expectations for a September hike have risen rapidly during the month. CME pricing stood near 66% when that report was published on Sept. 3, compared with roughly 93% by Sept. 15.

Reuters reported that some market participants view a rate increase as a potential restraint on speculative assets, with independent financial researcher Joseph Edwards saying it “would likely put a damper on the recent rally.” Others cited by Reuters have focused on whether Fed Chair Kevin Warsh signals a single increase or leaves the door open to a longer tightening cycle.

The Fed’s Sept. 15–16 meeting is scheduled to conclude Wednesday, when policymakers will release their rate decision and updated Summary of Economic Projections

Betting markets are cooling fast on the odds that the US Senate will move the CLARITY Act forward this year, after Polymarket participants briefly pushed the probability higher following a newly revised Republican proposal—only to cut back sharply once Democrats signaled they were still not satisfied with the ethics language.

According to Polymarket’s tracker for the event “CLARITY Act signed into law in 2026,” the odds rose to as high as 35% after the GOP circulated a revised draft the previous day, including expanded ethics provisions. By Monday, the probability had fallen again, reportedly dipping as low as 16% as reservations about the updated text intensified. The bill would require 60 votes to advance, and a failure to clear procedural hurdles on Tuesday could delay the legislation that would shape how US regulators—specifically the SEC and CFTC—divide oversight for crypto-related products.

Key takeaways

• Polymarket odds for the CLARITY Act passing this year fell from around 35% to about 16% after renewed Democratic pushback on ethics provisions.
• Several Senate Democrats reportedly say the revised draft’s safeguards are still not strong enough to prevent corruption “in real time.”
• Republicans likely need 60 votes to advance the bill procedurally; losing momentum could stall the SEC/CFTC oversight framework for crypto.
• Outside groups—tribal interests, state attorneys general, and banking trade associations—are adding pressure by arguing the latest draft still has gaps.

Why Polymarket odds reversed so quickly

The turn came after a revised Republican “final” proposal was circulated to Democrats, with the update described as strengthening ethics provisions. For Polymarket traders, that appeared to be a constructive signal—leading to the short-lived jump in odds to 35%. But on Monday, multiple reports and comments pointed to continued friction over whether the ethics changes adequately address concerns about conflicts and enforcement credibility.

US Senator Mark Warner, a central figure in the negotiations, was among those weighing in, with reported comments that the revised ethics wording was not “near enough.” At the same time, Democrats involved in the talks were said to be preparing a counterproposal, indicating that the GOP draft did not fully close the gap on what they consider acceptable guardrails.

That combination—public skepticism from Democratic negotiators and an apparent move toward further bargaining—helped explain why bettors quickly re-priced the likelihood of near-term Senate progress.

Democrats push for stronger protections—while not every member is aligned

Reporting from Punchbowl News’ Brendan Pedersen highlighted the growing sense among some Democratic senators that the revisions still fall short. Pedersen reported that Senator Raphael Warnock said Democrats should not advance legislation that does not address corruption opportunities “in real time.” He also reported that Senator Ruben Gallego described the latest ethics offer as leaving “much to be desired” and indicated he planned to work on a counterproposal.

Pedersen further reported that talking points circulated by staff for Senator Elizabeth Warren on the Senate Banking Committee argued that a proposed mechanism for state AG enforcement could be overridden by a determination from White House ethics officials. Separate reporting from Politico’s Jasper Goodman, citing three people familiar with the matter, said Democrats have already sent their counterproposal to Republican negotiators.

Still, the opposition within the Democratic caucus is not uniform. Politico reported that Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has privately urged colleagues to support the procedural motion, suggesting at least some Democrats see a path to advancing the measure even if they remain dissatisfied with parts of it. On the Republican side, Senator Cynthia Lummis said President Donald Trump had accepted two significant ethics provisions and claimed “nothing left to give,” framing the remaining debate as unlikely to produce further concessions.

Together, these reports underscore a key asymmetry: while Republicans appear to believe ethics changes are already substantial, parts of the Democratic side seem focused on tightening specific enforcement or conflict-of-interest concerns before allowing the bill to proceed.

External pressure mounts: tribal gaming and banking groups raise distinct objections

Beyond Senate negotiations, the CLARITY Act’s latest language is facing challenges from multiple outside constituencies, each arguing from a different policy angle.

The Indian Gaming Association—representing tribal gaming interests—urged member tribes to press senators to vote against the bill. In its action alert, the group argued that proposed decentralized finance changes do not address concerns in Indian Country relating to prediction markets. The association specifically called for explicit language affirming that federal commodities law does not preempt tribal or state gaming laws, including protections under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The group’s intervention matters because it suggests the bill’s definitional and regulatory reach could have ripple effects for how prediction-market-like activities are treated across jurisdictions.

In parallel, eight banking trade groups also criticized the revised text. According to a joint statement published by the American Bankers Association, the groups argued the proposal did not close loopholes that could allow stablecoin rewards functioning similarly to deposit interest. The banks also contended that a proposed “circuit breaker” mechanism would activate only after substantial deposit flight from community banks had already occurred—meaning the measure could be less protective in the early stages of any shift in consumer behavior.

Meanwhile, the crypto industry has continued to lobby for Senate action. In a statement released Monday, Blockchain Association CEO Summer Mersinger argued that the industry has made significant concessions to build bipartisan support and urged every senator to vote yes. She also claimed the bill would establish clearer rules, protect consumers, deter illicit activity, and reduce incentives for crypto-related jobs, development, and innovation to relocate overseas.

These competing pressures—tribal and banking concerns on one side, industry arguments on the other—highlight that the CLARITY Act is not only a regulator-jurisdiction question (SEC vs. CFTC), but also a broader policy fight over market design, enforcement mechanisms, and consumer protections.

What happens next depends on the vote math

Republicans require 60 votes to advance the bill. With Polymarket odds falling again and multiple Democratic negotiators reportedly preparing counter-language, the immediate risk is that the Senate cannot assemble the necessary procedural support this week. For investors and crypto market participants, that matters because the bill is intended to clarify how US regulators oversee crypto assets and related trading products, potentially reducing uncertainty that can affect policy expectations and compliance planning.

Watch whether Democrats unite behind the procedural motion and whether negotiators converge on ethics wording acceptable to key holdouts. The unresolved question is whether the revised draft’s safeguards are “near enough,” or whether further concessions will be required before the bill can clear the 60-vote threshold.

Odds of the CLARITY Act becoming law this year on Polymarket fell sharply again on Monday after spiking the day before, as key Senate Democrats reportedly said they had not been swayed by Republicans’ “final” crypto bill proposal.  

Polymarket traders initially saw a newly revised Republican proposal with expanded ethics provisions as a positive sign, sending the odds to 35%. However, their confidence was dashed as reservations about the revised text began mounting, with the odds falling back as low as 16% on Monday. 

US Senator Mark Warner, one of the Democrats involved in negotiations, reportedly said the revised ethics provision was not “near enough,” while Democrats involved in negotiations began preparing a counterproposal on Monday. 

Republicans need 60 votes to advance the bill, and failure on Tuesday could stall legislation that would determine how the US Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission divide oversight of the US crypto market.

Key Democrats remain unconvinced by ethics offer

Punchbowl News’ Brendan Pedersen reported that Senator Raphael Warnock said Democrats should not advance legislation that fails to address opportunities for corruption that are occurring “in real time.”

Pedersen reported that Senator Ruben Gallego said the latest ethics offer left “much to be desired” and that he planned to work on a counterproposal. Pedersen separately reported that staff for Senator Elizabeth Warren on the Senate Banking Committee circulated talking points arguing that the proposed state AG enforcement mechanism could be overridden by a determination from White House ethics officials.

Democrats have since sent their counterproposal to Republican negotiators, Politico’s Jasper Goodman reported, citing three people with knowledge of the matter.

Not all Democrats oppose advancing the bill toward floor consideration. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has privately urged colleagues to support the procedural motion, Politico reported. 

Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis said President Donald Trump had accepted two significant ethics provisions and that there was “nothing left to give” Democrats.

The resistance adds to opposition from a coalition of 18 state attorneys general and raises further uncertainty about whether Republicans can assemble the votes needed to advance the bill. 

Banking and tribal groups challenge latest text

The Indian Gaming Association, a national organization representing tribal gaming interests, urged member tribes to press senators to vote against the bill, saying its proposed decentralized finance changes did not address Indian Country’s concerns about prediction markets. 

The association called for explicit language affirming that federal commodities law does not preempt tribal or state gaming laws, including the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Related: Revised CLARITY Act targets ‘non-decentralized’ DeFi operators

Eight banking trade groups also said the revised text failed to close loopholes allowing stablecoin rewards that function like deposit interest. According to the groups, the proposed regulatory “circuit breaker” would activate only after substantial deposit flight from community banks had already occurred.

Crypto industry groups have urged senators to advance the legislation. In a statement on Monday, Blockchain Association CEO Summer Mersinger said the industry had made significant concessions to help build bipartisan support and urged every senator to vote yes. 

She argued that the bill would provide clear rules, protect consumers and deter illicit activity while preventing crypto jobs, developers and innovation from moving overseas. 

Magazine: Why are AI’s biggest companies suddenly asking to slow down?

CoinEx, a cryptocurrency exchange launched in December 2017 by the ViaBTC mining pool, says it is winding down its trading operations amid a prolonged downturn that has pressured volumes and liquidity. In an announcement shared on Tuesday, the platform cited sinking market activity as well as increasing regulatory and compliance burdens that it says have become difficult to manage over time.

CoinEx’s shutdown will be phased: new sign-ups will be stopped first, trading will gradually be curtailed across its derivatives and then spot markets, and withdrawals will conclude at the end of a scheduled withdrawal window. The exchange also plans to buy back its CET token at its initial listing price of 0.005 USDT per token.

Key takeaways

• CoinEx will halt new user registrations, rewards, and referral commissions as part of an operational wind-down.
• Futures trading will shift to “Reduce-Only,” and the exchange will stop taking new orders or subscriptions across multiple non-spot and related services.
• From Sept. 29, CoinEx says it will discontinue spot trading and process non-USDT assets.
• By Dec. 22, the withdrawal window ends and the platform ceases operations; remaining USDT will be moved to an independent custodian with a monthly custody fee.
• CoinEx Wallet and CoinEx Vault will remain operational, as they run independently of the exchange.

A phased exit from exchange services

CoinEx framed its decision as a recognition that the exchange has struggled to reach the scale of leading trading venues, while compliance and security risks have grown increasingly hard to contain. In a statement attributed to CoinEx CEO Haipo Yang, the executive said the company has accepted what it describes as a “hard truth,” pointing to both operational realities and the broader risk profile of running a crypto exchange.

Under the plan described in the announcement, CoinEx will first stop new user registrations along with referral commissions and other rewards. It will also move futures contracts into a “Reduce-Only” mode, a common structure used by exchanges during wind-downs to limit further leverage building while allowing existing positions to be closed.

CoinEx further said it will stop accepting new orders or subscriptions across fiat, margin trading, lending, earn, staking, and strategic trading services. This effectively freezes the majority of activities beyond pure withdrawals, aiming to transition users toward an orderly exit rather than continued product expansion.

Dates that traders and depositors should track

The company’s shutdown timeline is detailed in several steps. Starting Sept. 22, CoinEx says it will discontinue all non-spot services and onchain deposits, with the exception of CET deposits. That exception suggests CET will remain the only token flow supported during the early portion of the wind-down, potentially reflecting the exchange’s plan to address CET holders through a buyback.

From Sept. 29, CoinEx says it will end all spot trading services and process non-USDT assets. For users with assets on the platform, this matters because it signals the shift from a market-facing platform to a custody-and-redemption phase, where activity is increasingly about settlement and withdrawal rather than trading.

Finally, CoinEx states that the withdrawal period will end on Dec. 22, when the platform will cease operations. Any USDT that users have not withdrawn will be transferred to an independent custodian, which will charge a monthly custody fee. This is an important detail for users who may be deciding whether to withdraw immediately or wait; it implies costs may persist after the trading platform itself has stopped operating.

CET buyback and token holders

CoinEx says it will buy back CET at its initial listing price of 0.005 USDT per token. The announcement adds that this level is slightly higher than the CET price on Monday before the shutdown announcement. While the buyback mechanism is meant to address token holders during the exit process, users will still need to pay attention to how and when redemption will occur, particularly if any parts of the exchange’s functions are paused ahead of the final withdrawal deadline.

Notably, the company’s plan to allow only CET deposits after Sept. 22 reinforces that CET is at the center of the wind-down’s remaining token-related activity, at least through the early stages.

Why CoinEx’s shutdown fits a broader industry pattern

CoinEx’s exit joins a string of exchange failures and shutdowns reported earlier this year, including BitMart, BitMEX, and AscendEX. In the CoinEx announcement, the reasons are presented as a combination of market conditions and structural pressure: trading volumes and liquidity have deteriorated during the crypto downturn, and compliance and security costs have reportedly increased at the same time.

That combination is particularly relevant for users and market participants because it suggests a shift in what keeps exchanges viable. Even platforms with established brands can struggle if order books thin out for long periods, lowering revenue while compliance workloads and risk management demands continue.

CoinEx’s approach—phasing down products, moving futures to reduce-only, stopping new orders, then eventually ending spot trading and withdrawals—mirrors common wind-down playbooks intended to reduce operational risk while managing user exits. Still, the practical effect for traders is that liquidity and platform functionality will likely contract in stages, which can make position management and withdrawal planning time-sensitive.

What remains available

CoinEx says its CoinEx Wallet and CoinEx Vault will remain fully operational because they are run independently from the exchange. For users, this distinction is significant: it suggests that even as exchange trading shuts down, some related services may continue to function, reducing the need for users to rebuild or transfer assets immediately—though the company’s later schedule still indicates that exchange withdrawals will ultimately be the main path out before Dec. 22.

As CoinEx’s timeline progresses, the key question for users will be whether CET deposits, asset processing, and withdrawal handling proceed as announced—especially around the Sept. 29 spot discontinuation and the Dec. 22 end of withdrawals. Those dates will likely determine how quickly users need to act to avoid any last-minute custody transitions or fees tied to USDT remaining on the platform.