The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced proposed rule changes for 2026 that aim to clarify the regulatory framework for crypto assets and provide greater certainty to the market. The agenda is intended to align with the Trump administration's policy goals on crypto, which included clarification on tokenized securities and capital raising with digital assets.
The proposed rules address three areas: crypto broker-dealers, digital assets on alternative trading systems and national securities exchanges, and potential exemptions and safe harbors for digital assets. The SEC said that the proposed rules may provide greater certainty to the market, facilitate capital formation, and accommodate innovation within the crypto asset markets while ensuring investors are adequately protected.
The move comes as the US Congress debates provisions in a crypto market structure bill expected to shift much of the oversight and enforcement of the industry from the SEC to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. SEC Chair Paul Atkins previously signaled that he would defer to legislation if it was passed by Congress, citing the need for an agency 'bridge' to clarify crypto regulation.