New SEC – New Rules: The Seismic Shift in Crypto Regulation

When SEC Chair Mark Uyeda took office in January, the shift in approach was immediately noticed. He announced the creation of a Crypto Task Force then, which is a kind of working group. Its goal is to develop a regulatory framework for crypto assets. But let’s be honest—after years of the SEC’s disastrous handling of crypto, trust in the agency is at an all-time low. The Commission is trying to distance itself from the previous SEC administration, which severely undermined public trust in government institutions. 

One of the primary objectives of this new structure is to provide clear guidance on which cryptocurrency assets qualify as securities and which do not. This question has long been a source of confusion, as the previous SEC avoided giving definitive answers. As a result, companies had to rely on court precedents, and even teams of lawyers struggled to predict which digital assets the SEC might classify as securities next.

Also, the Commission aims to establish a more practical regulatory process.  In the past, companies faced significant challenges navigating outdated compliance procedures. Many of the forms that should be completed by crypto companies were designed decades before crypto even existed. Naturally, these forms were ill-suited to the industry and often led to errors.

Another key priority is improving coordination between the SEC and other government bodies, including Congress and federal agencies, to create an effective regulatory environment.

Besides, the agency will reduce its enforcement unit. The SEC will be required to obtain approval from Donald Trump’s administration before initiating any new investigations.

This is a seismic change. Previously, the SEC’s special unit included more than 50 lawyers and employees who were engaged in law enforcement in the crypto field.

I think that this can become a turning point that finally delivers clarity and fairness the industry has been waiting for.

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