SEC Publishes New Guidelines for Cryptocurrency Industry

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued new guidelines for the cryptocurrency industry, which may have significant implications for the Trump family's crypto ventures.

The SEC's new framework classifies most cryptocurrencies as commodities or collectibles, rather than securities, exempting them from stricter oversight and disclosure requirements. This change could lead to increased institutional investment in cryptocurrencies, particularly in areas such as meme coins, which were previously viewed as high risk due to enforcement uncertainty.

According to legal experts, the new guidelines are a significant departure from previous regulatory approaches under the Trump administration, which had entailed frequent enforcement actions and strict oversight of the sector. The SEC's chair, Paul Atkins, has described the framework as a 'token taxonomy' for the sector.