1 week ago
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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will launch a series of public roundtables this Friday under the banner “Spring Sprint Toward Crypto Clarity”, signaling a potential shift in how digital assets are regulated.
The first session, titled “How We Got Here and How We Get Out — Defining Security Status”, takes place on March 21 and will be open to both the public and crypto industry participants. The debate will center on whether cryptocurrencies should be classified as securities or commodities, a longstanding issue that has shaped regulatory enforcement.
Key legal and fintech experts will join the discussion, including:
✅ Miles Jennings (Andreessen Horowitz) — Crypto policy and legal expert.
✅ Collins Belton (Brookwood P.C.) — Adviser to crypto firms.
✅ Dr. Chris Brummer (Georgetown Law) — Digital asset law specialist.
With Gary Gensler’s exit as SEC Chair, many in the crypto sector are hopeful for lighter regulations. Under Donald Trump’s administration, industry leaders are pushing for oversight to shift to the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which has taken a more lenient enforcement stance.
🔹 SEC under Gensler: 125 crypto enforcement actions.
🔹 CFTC last year: 58 enforcement actions (some targeting crypto).
While the CFTC is not yet the primary regulator for digital assets, its recent Crypto CEO Forum and discussions on tokenized non-cash collateral suggest an evolving role.
The SEC’s roundtables come at a time when enforcement actions are slowing down. In recent months, the agency has dropped lawsuits and investigations against major crypto firms, including:
🚫 Coinbase
🚫 OpenSea
🚫 Uniswap Labs
🚫 Robinhood
🚫 Kraken
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce emphasized the importance of public input, stating: “The roundtables are a key part of our engagement with the public. I look forward to drawing on their expertise to shape a workable regulatory framework for crypto.”
As the SEC redefines its crypto approach, the roundtable discussions could set the stage for a major regulatory shift — one that may determine whether crypto thrives in the U.S. or continues its battle against restrictive policies.
English (US) ·