"SEC and CFTC Join Forces: Aligning Cryptocurrency Regulations to Foster Innovation"

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) are set to co-host a roundtable on September 29, 2025, focusing on efforts to unify digital asset regulations. Announced on September 12, the event will include leaders from crypto exchanges Kraken and Crypto.com, as well as representatives from prediction platforms Polymarket and Kalshi. This meeting is intended to synchronize regulatory approaches between the two agencies, following recent changes in CFTC leadership, where only one commissioner remains this year. Both the SEC and CFTC have highlighted the importance of providing “clarity” in the marketplace, suggesting that regulatory alignment could lower obstacles, boost efficiency, and encourage innovation within the U.S. financial sector.

This roundtable comes as lawmakers push for clearer rules in the digital asset industry. In July, the House of Representatives approved the CLARITY Act, which aims to clarify the respective roles of the SEC and CFTC in overseeing cryptocurrencies, though the Senate has not yet moved forward with its version. Topics for the roundtable include harmonizing product definitions, simplifying reporting requirements, and aligning capital and margin regulations. The panels will feature established financial figures such as

CEO Jeff Sprecher and Nasdaq’s Adena Friedman, along with leaders from the crypto sector.

Recent regulatory changes during the Trump administration have indicated a more favorable stance toward cryptocurrencies. The SEC has ended longstanding probes into companies like

and Ripple Labs, while the CFTC has brought crypto industry leaders onto its advisory boards and is considering the use of stablecoins as collateral in derivatives trading. Acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham and SEC Chair Paul Atkins described this joint initiative as a “long-anticipated journey” to enhance market transparency and competitiveness. These developments follow the July 2025 passage of the GENIUS Act, which set up a regulatory structure for stablecoins and barred them from paying interest to users.

The timing of the roundtable is notable, as both agencies are navigating shifting market conditions. With four out of five CFTC commissioners stepping down in 2025, concerns have arisen about maintaining regulatory direction. Former CFTC Chair J. Christopher Giancarlo and ex-commissioner Jill Sommers will lead panel discussions, highlighting the value of experienced leadership during this period. The event also comes as institutional interest in stablecoins grows, with these assets increasingly used for cross-border transactions and remittances, despite ongoing debates about systemic risk and transparency of reserves.

Speakers at the event stressed the need to connect traditional finance with the digital asset world. Executives from Kraken and Crypto.com are expected to discuss the difficulties of reconciling crypto-specific rules with existing securities and commodities laws. The CFTC’s recent suggestion to allow stablecoins as collateral in derivatives markets is part of a broader push to bring digital assets into mainstream finance. At the same time, the SEC’s approval of standard listing rules for crypto ETFs marks a move toward embracing market innovation. These actions support the GENIUS Act’s intention to classify stablecoins as “digital cash” rather than securities, a distinction that has sparked both support and debate among banks and crypto advocates.

This collaborative roundtable marks a significant moment in the U.S. approach to digital asset regulation. By encouraging cooperation between the SEC and CFTC, the event aims to address fragmented oversight and build a unified regulatory structure for new technologies. As stablecoins and tokenized assets become more prevalent, regulators must balance risk management with fostering innovation. The discussions and outcomes from this event could impact the future of the CLARITY Act and help shape the direction of the U.S. crypto market.