News

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced plans to host four more roundtables focusing on various aspects of crypto, including trading, custody, tokenization, and decentralized finance (DeFi).

This initiative follows the agency's first crypto roundtable, held on March 21, which aimed to clarify the regulatory landscape for digital assets.

The upcoming series will commence on April 11 with a discussion dedicated to tailoring regulations for crypto trading. Subsequent roundtables will address crypto custody on April 25, tokenization and asset movement on-chain on May 12, and DeFi on June 6.

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, who leads the Crypto Task Force, emphasized the importance of these roundtables in fostering discussions among experts about regulatory challenges and potential solutions.

The specific agenda and participants for each session have yet to be announced, though all events will be accessible to the public online or in-person at the SEC’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The SEC's Crypto Task Force was established on Jan. 21, under acting Chair Mark Uyeda, to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency sector. This move marks a shift from the stringent regulatory approach employed during the Biden administration, particularly under former Chair Gary Gensler.

Notably, the SEC has been reevaluating enforcement actions against crypto firms initiated under Gensler's leadership. In recent statements, Uyeda indicated plans to withdraw a proposed rule aimed at tightening custody standards for investment advisers dealing with crypto assets.

He has also requested options to reconsider proposed regulations that would have expanded oversight of alternative trading systems to include crypto platforms.

Additionally, the SEC will hold a roundtable on March 27 focused on the role of artificial intelligence in the financial industry, discussing its risks and governance.