TLDR
- SEC plans 4 more crypto roundtables on trading, custody, tokenization, and DeFi from April to June 2025
- These follow the SEC Crypto Task Force’s first roundtable held on March 21
- Commissioner Hester Peirce leads the task force, dubbing it the “Spring Sprint Toward Crypto Clarity”
- The SEC has been softening its stance on crypto under the Trump administration
- Acting Chair Mark Uyeda is moving away from the previous “regulation by enforcement” approach
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced plans to host four more crypto roundtables in the coming months. The series will focus on crypto trading, custody, tokenization, and decentralized finance (DeFi).
This move comes after the SEC held its first crypto roundtable on March 21. That initial event focused on defining security status in the crypto space.
The upcoming roundtable series is organized by the SEC’s Crypto Task Force. It will begin with a discussion on tailoring regulation for crypto trading on April 11.
A New Regulatory Approach
The SEC’s Crypto Task Force was launched on January 21 by acting SEC Chair Mark Uyeda. The task force is charged with creating a workable crypto framework for the agency.
Commissioner Hester Peirce leads the task force. She has dubbed these events the “Spring Sprint Toward Crypto Clarity.”
“The Crypto Task Force roundtables are an opportunity for us to hear a lively discussion among experts about what the regulatory issues are and what the Commission can do to solve them,” said Peirce.
All roundtables will be open for the public to watch online. People can also attend in person at the SEC headquarters in Washington, DC.
The specific agenda and speakers for each event have not yet been disclosed. This transparency marks a shift in the SEC’s approach to crypto regulation.
Detailed Roundtable Schedule
A roundtable on crypto custody will take place on April 25. This will be followed by a discussion on tokenization and moving assets onchain on May 12.
The fourth and final roundtable in the series will address DeFi on June 6. These discussions aim to gather expert opinions on key areas needing regulatory clarity.
The SEC is also planning a roundtable about AI’s role in the financial industry on March 27. This shows the agency’s broader focus on emerging technologies.
Join us on March 27 for a roundtable discussion on artificial intelligence in the financial industry. Topics include the risks, benefits, and governance of AI.
More details: https://t.co/ekX2RWp2KQ pic.twitter.com/7fH3j1tlwj
— U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (@SECGov) March 25, 2025
Commissioners Uyeda, Peirce, and Caroline Crenshaw are scheduled to speak at the AI event. This indicates high-level involvement in these new initiatives.
Shifting Stance Under New Leadership
Under the Trump administration, the SEC has been softening its previously hard stance toward crypto. This marks a change from policies under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler.
The regulator has dismissed many enforcement actions against crypto firms that were launched during Gensler’s tenure. This suggests a more collaborative approach to industry regulation.
Uyeda, who took over after Gensler resigned on January 20, has indicated plans to scrap rules proposed under the Biden administration. These included tighter crypto custody standards for investment advisers.
In a March 10 speech, Uyeda mentioned asking SEC staff for options to abandon parts of proposed changes. These changes would have expanded regulation of alternative trading systems to include crypto firms.
This shift represents a move away from what many in the industry called “regulation by enforcement.” The new leadership appears to favor clearer guidelines over punitive actions.
The roundtable format itself shows the SEC’s willingness to engage with industry experts. This collaborative approach stands in contrast to previous regulatory methods.
All these changes point to a new chapter in U.S. crypto regulation. The industry has long asked for more regulatory clarity rather than enforcement actions.
The outcomes of these roundtables could shape crypto regulation for years to come. Industry participants view this as a chance to help create workable frameworks.
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