US CLARITY Act Boosts Bitcoin as AI and Semiconductor Stocks Slip

Bitcoin rose over 2% in a week, reaching $66,416 as the US Treasury signalled the final passage of the CLARITY Act, which would clarify regulatory oversight of digital assets by the SEC and CFTC. FRNT Financial CEO Stephane Ouellette said the clearer rules and a slowdown in AI‑related equity trading could drive more capital into cryptocurrencies.

At the same time, AI‑focused equities and semiconductor shares have been falling sharply. In Japan, the Nikkei Semiconductor index is down about 30% from its peak, with major chipmakers such as Kioxia Holdings, Taiyo Yuden and Murata seeing share declines of 40‑50%. Investors cite short‑term volatility, concerns over over‑investment in AI, and competition from China’s CXMT DRAM producer as reasons for the adjustment.