In April 2026, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) a proposal called Regulation Crypto Assets, which establishes new guidelines for digital assets in the country. The announcement was made by Paul Atkins, chairman of the SEC, during an event held in Washington, signaling progress in the regulatory process for the crypto sector.
The initiative foresees a specific framework for startups, allowing these companies to raise funds for up to four years with reduced disclosure requirements. In addition, it provides for an exemption for issuers in fundraising for a period of 12 months, without affecting other waivers already provided for in current federal laws. In this way, the proposal seeks to offer flexibility to new projects without compromising the transparency necessary for the market.
A highlight is the possibility that certain digital assets may be removed from the definition of securities if project management is discontinued. As Atkins explained, this can reduce bureaucracy for tokens that no longer have active involvement from issuers. The SEC also commits to integrating efforts with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), establishing an agreement to coordinate oversight and avoid overlapping rules.
The understanding between the two bodies includes joint policy development and clear definition of digital products under their competence. This cooperation is seen as a relevant step to reduce regulatory conflicts that hinder the development of the crypto market in the United States. At the same time, legislators are working on the approval of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, with a Senate vote scheduled for April 2024.
As reported by Atkins, the next step after internal authorization by OIRA will be the publication of the text in the Federal Register, allowing the public to participate in the consultation and submit contributions. According to him, the SEC is open to receiving suggestions from the sector to improve the details before the final formalization. The initiative includes protection mechanisms, such as the safe harbor, intended for projects that meet the established requirements, balancing security and innovation.
This proposal is part of the SEC’s efforts to create a clearer regulatory environment for crypto companies in the United States, a challenge faced in Washington amid the growing complexity of the digital market. The regulation aims to harmonize the requirements applicable to digital assets and stablecoins, avoiding discrepancies between federal agencies that could hinder the economic development of the sector.
In March 2024, the SEC had already released an initial draft of the proposal, which now advances to the formal review stage by OIRA, essential to initiate the public regulation process. The expectation is that the publication in the Federal Register will offer transparency and allow the market to comment before the final adoption of the rule, making the proposal an important milestone in broader legislative debates on crypto assets in the country.
In addition to the SEC’s internal review, the agreement between federal regulators will be essential to ensure the consistency of future rules that will guide the operations of digital projects. Authorities have indicated they will closely monitor compliance with requirements during the process, seeking a regulatory framework that favors innovation without opening gaps for undue risks.
The conclusion of the process still depends on OIRA’s approval and the public consultation through the Federal Register, with analyses scheduled for the coming months. If approved, the regulatory framework will enable advances in defining the legal conditions for the operation of crypto companies, strengthening supervision and legal certainty in the American market.
