The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) are set to host a joint public roundtable on September 29, 2025, focusing on regulatory harmonization for cryptocurrency markets. This four-hour event, webcast live from SEC headquarters in Washington, D.C., will address key areas including decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, perpetual derivatives contracts, and the challenges of 24/7 trading markets. The discussion aims to streamline reporting standards, harmonize product definitions, and reduce regulatory barriers to innovation, with input from industry participants and legal experts.
Additionally, the SEC's crypto task force, led by Commissioner Hester Peirce, will hold a separate roundtable on October 17, 2025, centered on financial surveillance and privacy in digital assets. This marks the sixth such event since former SEC Chair Gary Gensler's departure, as part of a series of 10 meetings across the U.S. from August through December. Peirce emphasized that understanding privacy-protecting tools will aid in developing policy solutions for the crypto space.
These initiatives follow a notable shift in regulatory approach since January 2025, with both agencies dropping several investigations and lawsuits against crypto companies. The SEC has proposed rule changes, including exemptions and safe harbors for crypto asset offerings, and modifications to broker-dealer financial responsibility rules to lessen burdens on U.S. firms. A joint staff statement issued on September 5 clarified that U.S. exchanges can list certain spot cryptocurrency assets under existing regulations, addressing long-standing industry calls for clarity.
The collaborative effort aligns with recommendations from the President's Working Group on Digital Asset Markets and ongoing congressional discussions, such as the Responsible Financial Innovation Act, which could become law before 2026. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and CFTC Acting Chairman Caroline Pham stated in a joint announcement that this represents a 'new day' for regulators, aiming to ensure U.S. markets remain competitive while fostering digital asset innovation through unified frameworks.