The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched a series of nationwide roundtables to develop comprehensive regulatory frameworks for digital assets. Led by Chairman Paul Atkins, these discussions focus on critical areas including trading protocols, custody requirements, tokenization standards, and decentralized finance (DeFi) oversight.
The initiative aims to establish regulatory clarity and transparency across cryptocurrency markets, potentially influencing major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Core topics under examination include differentiating securities from utility tokens, establishing custody protections for investors, defining protocols for asset tokenization, and creating tailored regulatory approaches for DeFi platforms.
Chairman Atkins emphasized the need for a balanced ‘roadmap’ that encourages responsible innovation while mitigating systemic risks. This effort builds upon existing SEC priorities centered on investor protection and the oversight of regulated DeFi tokens and large-cap Layer 1 blockchain assets.
The roundtables are expected to facilitate greater institutional participation and enhance market stability by addressing regulatory uncertainties. The outcomes could signal significant developments in how digital asset markets operate under U.S. securities regulations going forward.