The U.S. SEC on Thursday published a rulemaking agenda that could remake how digital assets are regulated. The agenda lists proposals on the offer and sale of crypto, how broker-dealer rules apply to the sector, and the possibility of letting crypto trade on national securities exchanges and alternative trading systems.
The shift aims to cut red tape that Wall Street has long called excessive and to bring crypto closer to mainstream finance. The SEC said the proposals will also target clearer disclosures and lower compliance burdens for public companies, Reuters reported.
What the agenda covers
The plan would tackle several big questions. It would set out rules for how digital assets can be offered and sold. It could create exemptions or safe harbours for certain activities, and the SEC also wants to make clear how broker-dealer rules fit with crypto firms.
Another part of the agenda looks at permitting crypto trading on regulated exchanges and trading systems. The agency said it will also seek to simplify required disclosures to boost transparency and protect investors.
Why the changes matter?
If the rules move forward, the industry would gain a cleaner path to work with banks and exchanges. Tailored rules could make it easier for crypto firms to tap traditional markets.
Supporters say that would help capital formation and market efficiency. Critics of the old approach argue that unclear rules pushed firms into legal fights and kept many institutions on the sidelines.
Also Read: SEC Chair Paul Atkins Signals Friendlier Stance Toward Crypto At Wyoming Event
A political backdrop
The agenda follows a wider political change, and on the campaign trail last year, Donald Trump pitched himself as a pro-crypto candidate and pledged to promote digital assets.
That marked a contrast with the prior administration, and under President Biden, regulators sued several big exchanges, alleging legal breaches. The current SEC has since dropped those cases. The agency now frames its work as backing innovation while still protecting investors.
Statements from the SEC
The SEC said the agenda shows a renewed focus on innovation and investor protection. Agency leaders argue the move will help markets work better while keeping safeguards in place.
The changes are meant to balance growth and oversight. Regulators will still aim to prevent fraud and money laundering even as they consider new rules.
Other items on the docket
The agency also flagged steps to reduce compliance burdens tied to shareholder proposals.
It plans a rationalisation of disclosure rules that could trim unnecessary filings for public companies. These moves are part of a broader push to make rules clearer and less costly to follow.
Separate legal matters tied to crypto mining
The SEC agenda came alongside other industry legal news, like the UnoCrypto reported that the U.S. Appeals Court will rehear the sentences of Sergei Potapenko and Ivan Turõgin. The pair are co-founders of HashFlare, a crypto mining service that later closed.
Prosecutors objected to what they said were overly lenient punishments. Potapenko and Turõgin had earlier received time served, a $25,000 fine and 360 hours of community service after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
What industry watchers will look for?
Market players will watch the specifics closely, and key questions include which assets qualify for exemptions and how broker-dealer rules will be adapted.
Exchanges want clarity on listing rules and how to handle custody and trading. Investors will want to see strong disclosure rules that do not bury risk. Lawmakers and firms will also watch whether the proposals favour clarity over enforcement alone.
The SEC will likely publish draft rules and open them to public comment, and that process will let stakeholders weigh in and could reshape the final text.
If the proposals proceed, they may mark a major step toward folding crypto into established finance rules. For now, the agenda signals a new regulatory tone and a fresh push to resolve long-standing questions about the place of digital assets in U.S. markets.
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