In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) published joint guidelines that define clear rules for the enforcement of federal legislation on crypto assets. These new guidelines establish criteria to determine the moment when a token ceases to be treated as a security and is classified as a commodity, changing the existing regulatory parameters.
Kraken launched perpetual futures on tokenized stocks for clients outside the United States at the end of February, offering leverage of up to 20 times. These contracts have no expiration date and simulate the variation of indices, commodities, and stocks listed on traditional exchanges, reflecting the growing integration between digital assets and conventional markets.
In the traditional financial sector, IG Group recorded a net trading revenue of 1.12 billion pounds in 2025, representing a 10% increase compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Swissquote projects a net revenue of 760 million Swiss francs for 2026, with an estimated pre-tax profit of 385 million, and revised its target for 2028, raising it from 900 to 950 million Swiss francs.
The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) confirmed new rules aimed at improving the communication of operational incidents in financial institutions, including contracts for difference (CFD) brokers. The measure responds to an increase in cyber incidents reported in 2025, more than 40% of which involved third-party service providers.
Additionally, HTFX requested the cancellation of its license with the FCA on January 7, 2026, following changes in corporate control registered since 2023. Meanwhile, Colmex Pro halted the registration of new retail clients for CFDs, focusing instead on trading stocks and ETFs.
iFOREX Financial Trading Holdings went public on the London Stock Exchange on February 25, 2026, raising 8.75 million pounds. JPMorgan Chase is reevaluating its internal rules for trading contracts linked to prediction markets, covering 320,000 employees, a move that could impact business practices in the financial sector.
In terms of regulatory oversight, the FCA has established strict deadlines for the submission of reports in emergency situations, including cyber attacks and power supply failures. These measures are part of an effort to ensure rapid and effective responses to incidents that could compromise market integrity.
The recent developments occur amid rapid growth and greater integration between traditional and digital financial markets. As a result, IG Group is discussing transferring its listing from the London Stock Exchange to New York with the aim of expanding access to global investors, while Admirals clients in Jordan and Kenya were relocated to registration under Seychelles licensing in 2025.
Finally, the new federal classification for crypto assets now includes five specific categories, replacing the old model focused on information disclosure. With this, authorities seek to improve understanding and application of regulations on these assets, reflecting the segment’s advancement in the global financial scenario.
The completion of the regulatory adaptation process still depends on continuous analysis by the SEC, CFTC, and FCA, which are expected to monitor the implementation of the new rules in the coming weeks.
