The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to align their regulatory approaches to digital assets.
The move marks a significant shift from past friction between the two agencies, aiming to create a unified framework for oversight of crypto markets and emerging technologies.
Under the agreement, the agencies will hold joint meetings, share data, and coordinate interpretations of whether a digital asset qualifies as a security or commodity. They also plan to issue joint rulemakings to clarify product definitions and update regulations around clearing, margin, trade data, and intermediaries.
SEC Chair Paul Atkins emphasized that harmonization requires coordinated responses to firms seeking regulatory clarity or exemptions.
Reports suggest the collaboration may extend physically-Bloomberg noted the agencies are considering co-locating in the SEC’s Washington, D.C. building.
Meanwhile, Congress remains stalled on the crypto market structure bill, with Senate action unlikely before April due to recess and competing legislative priorities.