Key Takeaways
- Pro-crypto U.S. regulators are working to pass sweeping crypto and stablecoin policy and legislation.
- The confirmation of the new SEC Chair, Paul Atkins, is scheduled for March 27, 2025.
- Real-world asset tokenization is an increasingly large area of focus for regulators and industry players.
Donald Trump’s pro-crypto administration is marching forward its digital asset agenda, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) set to host four more crypto-focused roundtables.
Leading processions is “crypto mom” SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, who now leads the agency’s Crypto Task Force.
Though details are somewhat scarce, these meetings mark a tangible U-turn from the heavy-handed enforcement actions of the SEC under its former Chair, Gary Gensler.
Trading and Custody
The SEC’s next crypto roundtable, “Between a Block and a Hard Place: Tailoring Regulation for Crypto Trading,” is scheduled for April 11, 2025.
The discussion will focus on the current regulatory standards for crypto trading and explore potential reforms to curb fraud, market manipulation, and systemic risks.
At present, the U.S. crypto trading system is marred with regulatory uncertainty, which has allowed bad actors to slip through, risk consumer safety, and arguably stifle innovation.
The SEC aims to use these discussions to gain insight from industry experts and stakeholders and refine its approach to digital asset oversight.
Strengthening Custody Rules
Following the trading-focused session, the SEC will turn its attention to crypto custody with “Know Your Custodian: Key Considerations for Crypto Custody,” scheduled for April 25, 2025.
The discussion will tackle the risks associated with digital asset storage, an issue that has gained urgency in the wake of high-profile collapses like FTX, underscoring the need for stronger custody protections.
Regulators are under increasing pressure to implement stricter guidelines to prevent mismanagement and misuse of customer funds.
“The Crypto Task Force roundtables are an opportunity for us to hear a lively discussion among experts about what the regulatory issues are and what the Commission can do to solve them,” said Commissioner Peirce.
DeFi and Tokenization Take Center Stage
The SEC’s crypto discussions will expand beyond centralized platforms with a May 12, 2025, session titled “Tokenization—Moving Assets Onchain: Where TradFi and DeFi Meet.”
This roundtable will explore the increasing adoption of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, a market projected to grow into trillions in the coming years.
Finally, the series will conclude on June 6, 2025, with “The Wild West of Crypto: Navigating the Regulatory Challenges of DeFi.”
As its title suggests, the discussion will focus on the complexities of regulating decentralized protocols, which operate without centralized oversight, making enforcement difficult.
Public Access and Participation
The SEC will host all roundtables at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., with live streams available on its official website.
Attendance will require advance registration, with limited in-person availability and standard security screenings.
Virtual participants can access the discussions without registration, and recordings will be posted online afterward.
Eddie is a gaming and crypto writer at CCN. Covering the often weird and wonderful world of Web3 with an adoring, but skeptical eye.
Prior to CCN, Eddie has spent the past seven years working his way through the crypto, finance, and technology industry. He began with PR and journalism with Bitcoin PR Buzz and BitcoinNews.com, eventually working his way to become a copywriter with a dozen firms, including the likes of Polkadot before returning to journalism in 2023.
Having studied Radio production and journalism at University in the UK, Eddie spent a few years making podcasts and presenting on a local London radio station as he built up his writing chops.
A lifelong skateboarder, Eddie can often be found at the skatepark or touring the streets looking for something new to try. That, or kicking back playing JRPGs on his original PSP.
