The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has formally delegated regulatory oversight of stablecoins to federal banking regulators, a move intended to resolve long-standing jurisdictional ambiguities and enhance market stability through clearer frameworks. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins confirmed the delegation during a Crypto Task Force industry roundtable, signaling a significant shift in U.S. cryptocurrency governance.
This transition addresses persistent conflicts between regulatory bodies over stablecoin supervision, placing issuers and market participants under established banking regulatory regimes. The reclassification aims to provide consistent operational guidelines and compliance requirements across the sector, reducing fragmentation in governance approaches that previously complicated market operations.
While the overhaul seeks to bolster market stability through standardized oversight, industry experts emphasize that investor protection mechanisms must remain a priority notwithstanding the regulatory realignment. The delegation represents a pivotal step toward clarifying regulatory responsibilities in the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape.