SEC & CFTC Relaunch "Project Crypto" to Align U.S. Digital Asset Oversight

The SEC and CFTC are teaming up again on Project Crypto – a joint initiative relaunched on January 29, 2026 – to coordinate oversight of on-chain trading, clearing, settlement, and custody in digital asset markets.

SEC Chair Paul S. Atkins and CFTC Chair Michael S. Selig announced the move in a joint statement, urging Congress to pass urgent market structure legislation (like the CLARITY Act) to close regulatory gaps and provide clarity.

Key highlights:

The program aims to harmonize definitions between agencies, reduce duplicative registrations, enable data sharing, and eliminate conflicting rules.

Regulators want a "minimum-effective-dose" approach: focus on material risks, sequence requirements, and adapt rules to blockchain tech instead of forcing legacy frameworks.

They warn that unclear rules and enforcement-heavy policies have stifled innovation and pushed activity overseas – U.S. must stay competitive globally.

Priorities include registration, disclosure, custody, clearing, and surveillance – with legislative action needed first, followed by coordinated implementation.

This comes amid bipartisan bills in Congress and a push to make America the "crypto capital of the world." Atkins emphasized immediate action to expand access (even for retirement accounts) and foster innovation while protecting investors.

Thoughts? Is this the regulatory clarity we've been waiting for, or just more talk?

🚀 #CryptoRegulation #SEC #CFTC #ProjectCrypto #DigitalAssets