Key Takeaways
- Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse estimates a 90% probability that the CLARITY bill will pass by April 2026, potentially ending years of regulatory ambiguity for the U.S. digital asset sector.
- Morgan Stanley (MS) has significantly increased its exposure to Zijin Mining Group (2899.HK), raising its long position in H-shares to 5.47% as of February 11.
- The CLARITY bill is viewed as a landmark legislative effort to establish a definitive framework for crypto trading and stablecoin issuance in the United States.
- Morgan Stanley maintains a highly bullish outlook on Zijin Mining, recently raising its price target to HK$59 on the back of surging gold and copper production forecasts.
Ripple CEO Predicts Imminent Regulatory Breakthrough
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse expressed high confidence in the passage of the CLARITY bill, stating there is now a 90% chance the legislation will be signed into law by the end of April 2026. The bill is designed to provide much-needed regulatory transparency for the U.S. cryptocurrency market, addressing long-standing disputes over asset classification and jurisdictional oversight between federal agencies.
Market sentiment reflects this optimism, with prediction platforms like Polymarket showing an 82% probability of the bill passing within the calendar year. The potential enactment of the CLARITY bill is expected to catalyze institutional adoption by providing a clear legal roadmap for digital asset service providers and stablecoin issuers.
Morgan Stanley Boosts Stake in Zijin Mining
In the commodities sector, Morgan Stanley (MS) has ramped up its investment in Zijin Mining Group (2899.HK). According to recent HKEX filings, the banking giant’s long position in the company’s H-shares rose to 5.47% on February 11, up from a previous position of 4.52%.
This move aligns with Morgan Stanley’s broader "Overweight" rating on the mining firm, which was reaffirmed in late January. Analysts at the bank recently lifted their price target for Zijin Mining (2899.HK) to HK$59, citing the company's aggressive expansion in gold and copper production.
Commodities Outlook Supports Mining Growth
The increased position comes as gold prices continue to exceed previous bank forecasts, driven by geopolitical risks and central bank accumulation. Morgan Stanley’s commodities team suggests that gold could reach as high as $5,700 per ounce in a bullish second-half scenario for 2026.
Furthermore, a projected 600,000-ton supply deficit in the copper market by 2026 is expected to provide a strong tailwind for Zijin Mining (2899.HK). New demand drivers, including AI data centers and energy storage systems, are offsetting limited mine supply growth, positioning diversified miners for significant valuation advantages in the current macroeconomic environment.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.