U.S. financial regulators are taking concrete steps to close long-standing gaps in digital asset oversight, signaling a coordinated push to give the crypto industry clearer rules and a stronger footing at home.
The effort centers on a new cooperation framework between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, aimed at reducing regulatory friction that has slowed the sector for years.
Key Ttakeaways
The SEC and CFTC are formalizing cooperation to clarify crypto oversight.
A joint framework aims to end jurisdiction disputes and regulatory uncertainty.
U.S. regulators say clearer rules could accelerate industry growth and adoption.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to keep innovation onshore as global competition for crypto leadership intensifies.
SEC–CFTC Agreement Aims to End Regulatory Confusion
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the two agencies are preparing a formal Memorandum of Understanding that would define how they coordinate on digital asset regulation. The agreement is expected to outline shared responsibilities, information-sharing mechanisms, and clearer boundaries between securities and commodities oversight.
At the core of the effort is jurisdiction – a long-running source of conflict between the two regulators that has left companies uncertain about which rules apply to their products.
Legislation Seen as the Long-Term Solution
SEC Chair Paul Atkins indicated that momentum is building in Washington for comprehensive crypto legislation this year. While acknowledging that existing regulatory powers can be used in the short term, he emphasized that formal laws would provide more durable clarity for markets and investors.
His comments came as both agencies participated in a joint public session focused on aligning their approaches to crypto market supervision, highlighting a more collaborative tone than in past years.
Joint Talks Focus on Market Structure and Oversight
During the public discussion, officials explored how the upcoming MoU could shape oversight of trading platforms, token classification, and market infrastructure. Establishing a shared framework is seen as a way to prevent overlapping enforcement and reduce compliance uncertainty that has driven some firms offshore.
The discussion also underscored a shared goal: positioning the U.S. as a global hub for digital asset innovation rather than a regulatory bottleneck.
Retirement Access and Industry Growth in Focus
Ahead of the joint event, Atkins voiced support for allowing limited crypto exposure within 401(k) retirement plans, reflecting a more open stance toward mainstream adoption. He discussed these views in a media appearance alongside CFTC Chair Mike Selig on CNBC.
Both regulators framed cooperation as essential to making the U.S. more competitive in the global crypto race, arguing that clear, coordinated rules could unlock growth while maintaining investor protections.
