SEC Unveils Agenda to Provide Regulatory Framework for Crypto Assets

The U.S Securities and Exchange Commission has released Chair Paul Atkins’ Regulatory Flexibility Agenda for Spring 2025. The SEC agenda includes proposed rule changes for crypto assets, with Atkins noting that they aim to provide regulatory clarity and certainty for the industry.

Crypto On Top Of The List Of SEC Spring Agenda

The agency’s rule list for Spring 2025 includes a proposed rule change for crypto assets. Specifically, the Rulemaking Division is considering recommending that the Commission propose rules that relate to the offer and sale of crypto assets, potentially including certain exemptions and safe harbors.

This is to help clarify the regulatory framework for crypto assets and provide greater certainty to the market. In line with this, the SEC also called for questions and public comment on the proposed rule change for crypto assets. Wintermute already submitted feedback to the Crypto Task Force on tokenized securities.

The Commission failed to mention a deadline to implement these proposed rule changes, although it listed the framework as one that will be major for the crypto industry. Notably, since taking office, SEC Chair Paul Atkins has prioritized regulatory clarity for the crypto industry, aligning with President Trump’s vision to make America the crypto capital.

In July, Atkins announced the launch of ‘Project Crypto’ to modernize securities rules and move markets on-chain. Meanwhile, the SEC and CFTC recently released a joint statement in which they opened the door to spot crypto on U.S.-regulated exchanges.

Atkins Comments On His Spring Agenda

The SEC Chair issued a statement regarding his spring agenda, in which he noted that the agenda covers potential rule proposals for crypto trading to help clarify the regulatory framework for crypto assets and provide market certainty.

He further remarked that a key priority for his Chairmanship is clear rules of the road for the issuance, custody, and trading of crypto assets while continuing to discourage bad actors from violating the law.

Atkins added that the agenda reflects the SEC’s withdrawal of a host of items from the last administration that do not align with the “goal that regulation should be smart, effective, and appropriately tailored within the confines of our statutory authority.”

Notably, the SEC, under the previous SEC Chair Gary Gensler, had adopted a regulation-by-enforcement approach instead of providing a clear regulatory framework for the industry. The current administration has already moved to drop popular lawsuits against cryptocurrency firms, including those against top crypto exchanges Binance and Coinbase.

Meanwhile, the SEC and Ripple recently ended their almost 5-year legal battle, with both parties dropping their respective appeals. In good faith, the Commission also waived the “Bad Actor” rule against the crypto firm.