New SEC proposals could reshape digital asset rules and boost cross-border protections for investors
A sweeping overhaul of US cryptocurrency regulations may soon open new doors for digital assets to integrate with traditional finance, according to the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) newly unveiled rulemaking agenda.
The SEC, under Chair Paul Atkins, is proposing rules for the offer and sale of digital assets. These proposals may include exemptions and safe harbours.
The agency is also considering amendments that would allow crypto trading on national securities exchanges and alternative trading systems, as reported by Reuters.
These proposals, if enacted, would mark a significant shift for the digital asset industry, which has long pushed for regulatory clarity and the ability to operate alongside established financial markets.
“This regulatory agenda reflects that it is a new day at the Securities and Exchange Commission,” Atkins stated. He added that the agenda represents the commission’s renewed focus on supporting innovation, capital formation, market efficiency, and investor protection, according to Reuters.
In addition to its focus on digital assets, the SEC is also establishing a cross-border task force to investigate securities fraud by foreign companies, particularly those from jurisdictions such as China, where investor risks may be heightened, Bloomberg reported.
The new unit will scrutinize not only the companies themselves but also their auditors and underwriters.
“We welcome companies from around the world seeking access to the US capital markets,” Atkins said.
However, he emphasized that the SEC “will not tolerate bad actors… that attempt to use international borders to frustrate and avoid US investor protections.”
The SEC’s agenda also includes plans to rationalize disclosure requirements and reduce compliance burdens for public companies in connection with shareholder proposals, as per Reuters.
Meanwhile, efforts to harmonize US financial regulations are underway, with the SEC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) set to hold a roundtable on regulatory alignment, including the treatment of spot-crypto products on regulated exchanges, Bloomberg noted.
