The financial regulators are trying to clear the air on cryptocurrency investments
US financial regulators have taken a step toward clarifying the rules for digital assets. Yesterday, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) released a joint staff statement confirming that regulated exchanges in the US and abroad can list spot crypto products without violating existing law.
The statement makes clear that national securities exchanges, designated contract markets, and certain foreign boards of trade already recognized by the CFTC may facilitate trading of spot crypto assets, including those that feature leverage or margin. Regulators emphasized that these venues must still meet standards for transparency, investor protection, and market surveillance, but they are not barred from participating in the growing crypto space.
This coordinated guidance follows recommendations from the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, which urged US regulators to create a clearer framework to prevent innovation from moving overseas. The agencies invited market participants to bring forward proposals and engage with staff on questions around custody, clearing, and compliance.
The practical effect is that traditional finance venues such as Nasdaq, the New York Stock Exchange, CME Group, and Cboe Global Markets now have a pathway to offer spot crypto trading products if they choose. Until now, most spot crypto activity in the US has taken place on dedicated platforms such as Coinbase and Kraken.
The move reflects a broader policy shift under the Trump administration, which has sought to establish clearer rules for digital assets. Earlier this summer, the House of Representatives passed the CLARITY Act, a market structure bill for cryptocurrencies that is now under Senate review. Meanwhile, other legislation, like the Genius Act, has created federal oversight for stablecoins.
By jointly signaling their willingness to coordinate oversight, the SEC and CFTC are attempting to balance investor protections with the need to integrate crypto into established financial markets, while keeping blockchain innovation rooted in the US.
