U.S. SEC and CFTC Collaborate to Facilitate Spot Crypto Trading for Registered Firms

In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have jointly announced that registered trading platforms can now facilitate spot crypto transactions with regulatory approval. The move marks a departure from the previous administration's cautious approach, aligning with President Trump's push to establish the U.S. as a global crypto hub.

The agencies clarified that CFTC-registered designated contract markets (DCMs), foreign boards of trade (FBOTs), and SEC-registered national securities exchanges (NSEs) are permitted to trade certain spot crypto assets. This coordination falls under the SEC's "Project Crypto" and the CFTC's "crypto sprint" initiatives, which aim to integrate digital assets into the existing financial regulatory framework.

The announcement signals growing institutional acceptance of cryptocurrencies, though specific assets eligible for trading were not detailed. Market participants are encouraged to engage with regulators to navigate the new guidelines.