SEC plans four crypto roundtables amid regulatory shift

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will host four crypto-focused roundtables in 2025, addressing trading, custody, tokenisation, and DeFi.

The discussions, organised by the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, follow the agency’s first crypto roundtable on March 21 and reflect a softer stance compared to prior enforcement-heavy policies.

The series begins with a trading regulation roundtable on April 11, followed by custody on April 25, tokenisation on May 12, and DeFi on June 6.

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, who leads the task force, described the events as opportunities for expert discussions on regulatory challenges.

The SEC’s shift aligns with Acting Chair Mark Uyeda’s agenda, which includes rolling back Biden-era proposals such as tightened crypto custody rules for advisers and expanded exchange registration requirements for crypto firms.

Uyeda’s March 17 decision to abandon a custody rule proposal underscores the agency’s move toward industry-friendly policies, contrasting with former Chair Gary Gensler’s enforcement-driven approach.

The roundtables coincide with the SEC’s March 27 AI in finance discussion, featuring Uyeda, Peirce, and Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw.

While the crypto-specific agenda remains undisclosed, analysts anticipate debates on regulatory clarity for decentralised platforms and tokenised assets.

Under Trump, the SEC has dismissed multiple enforcement actions against crypto firms, including cases against Ripple and Coinbase.

The roundtables suggest a push for collaborative rulemaking, though critics warn of risks in rushing frameworks without addressing volatility or market manipulation.

The SEC’s openness to dialogue marks a shift from its previous adversarial stance.

Whether the discussions lead to actionable reforms or remain symbolic will depend on balancing innovation with investor protections.

The agency’s parallel focus on AI governance highlights its evolving role in overseeing emerging technologies.

The roundtables’ outcomes could influence state-level crypto initiatives, such as North Carolina’s proposed Bitcoin reserve bills.

However, federal coordination remains critical to avoid fragmented policies.

As the SEC navigates this new phase, stakeholders await clarity on how its crypto framework will align with Trump’s broader pro-blockchain agenda.