FameEX Hot Topics | SEC Plans Four Additional Crypto Roundtables on Trading, Custody, Tokenization, and DeFi

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced a series of four upcoming roundtables centered on the cryptocurrency industry. These discussions will address regulation of crypto trading, custody, tokenization, and decentralized finance (DeFi), following the agency’s first crypto roundtable held on March 21. According to a March 25 announcement, the SEC’s Crypto Task Force will host the next roundtable on April 11, focusing on tailoring regulation for crypto trading. Additional events are scheduled for April 25 on crypto custody, May 12 on tokenization and asset movement on chain, and June 6 on DeFi.

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, who leads the Crypto Task Force, emphasized that the roundtables will serve as a platform for experts to debate key regulatory challenges and explore potential solutions. While the full agendas and lists of speakers are yet to be revealed, all roundtables will be accessible to the public online or in person at SEC headquarters in Washington, D.C. Peirce underscored the importance of these discussions in shaping the agency’s approach to the evolving crypto space.

The Crypto Task Force was established on January 21 by acting SEC Chair Mark Uyeda, who stepped in following the resignation of former Chair Gary Gensler on January 20. Its mission is to develop a practical and effective framework for crypto oversight. The March 21 roundtable, the first in the series, focused on understanding how the current regulatory environment was developed and identifying a path forward — a session titled “How We Got Here and How We Get Out — Defining Security Status.”

In addition to the crypto discussions, the SEC will hold a separate roundtable on March 27 to explore artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial industry. This session will delve into the risks, benefits, and governance issues surrounding AI, with Uyeda, Peirce, and SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw slated to speak. The event is part of the Commission’s broader initiative to evaluate emerging technologies and their implications for financial markets and regulation.

Under Uyeda’s leadership, the SEC appears to be shifting away from the aggressive enforcement approach favored during Gensler’s tenure. Since assuming the role, Uyeda has moved to withdraw a proposed rule that would impose stricter crypto custody standards on investment advisers. He also directed SEC staff to consider scaling back a proposal that would require crypto firms operating alternative trading systems to register as exchanges, signaling a more accommodative stance toward the industry.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this section is for reference only and does not represent any investment advice or the official views of FameEX.