SEC Drops Crypto from 2026 Exam Radar - Regulatory Winds Shift Direction

Wall Street's watchdog quietly shelves digital assets from next year's inspection checklist.

The Changing Guard

SEC examination priorities for 2026 land with notable absence—cryptocurrency oversight gets bumped down the list. Traditional markets and emerging technologies take center stage while digital assets fade into the background.

Focus Pivot

Examination resources redirect toward private funds, broker-dealer conflicts, and ESG disclosures. The move signals strategic recalibration—perhaps regulators finally learned that chasing crypto is like trying to nail jelly to a wall.

Market Implications

Reduced regulatory scrutiny creates breathing room for blockchain projects to develop without constant examination anxiety. Meanwhile, traditional finance gets the microscope treatment—because nothing says 'innovation' like scrutinizing century-old practices.

The shift demonstrates regulatory prioritization in action—sometimes what gets excluded speaks louder than what remains.

TLDR

• The SEC has excluded crypto-assets from its 2026 examination priorities, focusing instead on cybersecurity and fiduciary obligations.
• The SEC clarified that the list of priorities is not exhaustive and crypto firms may still face scrutiny under different frameworks.
• The omission of crypto from the SEC’s 2026 priorities aligns with the Trump administration’s more pro-crypto stance.
• The SEC highlighted risks associated with new technologies such as artificial intelligence and automated investment tools in its 2026 focus.
• Despite the omission, the SEC continues to monitor the crypto sector and can examine firms based on their specific risk profiles.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has excluded a specific focus on crypto-assets from its 2026 examination priorities. This omission follows the SEC’s release of its fiscal year 2026 priorities. The announcement was made public on November 17, 2025, by the SEC’s Division of Examinations.

SEC’s 2026 Priorities Omit Crypto

The SEC’s Division of Examinations has outlined its priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. These priorities do not specifically include digital assets or cryptocurrencies, signaling a shift from previous focuses. Instead, the SEC emphasized fiduciary responsibilities, cybersecurity, and data privacy as key areas for examination.

The SEC’s omission of crypto-asset priorities aligns with a broader regulatory shift under the current leadership. In the past, the SEC had given considerable attention to crypto, focusing on enforcement and oversight. The new priorities, however, do not mention crypto in a dedicated section, raising questions about the agency’s future approach.

In response to the omission, the SEC clarified that the list of priorities is not exhaustive. This statement suggests that crypto-asset firms may still face scrutiny under different examination frameworks. The SEC pointed out that the absence of specific references to digital assets does not exclude them from potential review.

Crypto Industry Under Trump’s Administration

Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the U.S. crypto industry experienced substantial growth. The administration’s stance on crypto has generally been more supportive, with less emphasis on heavy regulation. Trump’s approach to the sector encouraged innovation and investment, fostering a more favorable environment for digital assets.

The TRUMP family has also been involved in the crypto ecosystem, with efforts including the launch of a trading platform. The family’s involvement further exemplifies the administration’s pro-crypto stance, which sought to ease regulatory burdens on the sector. This approach has been welcomed by many within the industry, who argue that lighter regulation allows for innovation.

Trump’s support for the crypto space has been a defining characteristic of his administration’s financial policy. This approach contrasts with the more stringent regulatory frameworks seen in previous years, especially those under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler. Gensler had been vocal about increasing oversight of the crypto sector, focusing on exchanges and asset offerings.

In its latest statement, the SEC emphasized the risks associated with new technologies, including artificial intelligence and automated investment tools. These areas are now at the forefront of the agency’s examination priorities. However, the SEC made it clear that it WOULD continue to monitor various sectors, including crypto, through different lenses.