- The SEC will host a roundtable on March 21 to discuss crypto regulation and the future of digital assets.
- The agency has closed major lawsuits against the crypto exchanges, including the most recent Kraken case, and Coinbase.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will host its first-ever roundtable on March 21, 2025, under the initiative called the “Spring Sprint Toward Crypto Clarity.”The roundtable, titled “How We Got Here and How We Get Out – Defining Security Status,” will take place at SEC headquarters in Washington D.C., and will be open to the public.
In an official press release from the SEC official website, the agency expressed its newly defined approach to moving from an enforcement-heavy stance to a collaborative era.
The roundtable will feature a discussion with industry leaders and participants. The task force leader Commissioner Hester Peirce emphasized the importance of these discussions.
“I am looking forward to drawing on the expertise of the public in developing a workable regulatory framework for crypto.”
Crypto Industry Responds to SEC’s Shift to Collaboration
The SEC’s Crypto Task Force was launched on January 21 by Acting Chair Mark Uyeda to create clearer regulatory paths for crypto firms. The roundtable discussion will allow participants to discuss issues such as security classifications, enforcement practices, and compliance expectations.
Another development that precedes this event was the appointment of former Willkie Farr & Gallagher partner Michael Selig as the task force’s chief counsel. Selig has wide experience advising crypto and blockchain firms, and his inclusion is a bridge between the industry and regulators.
Former Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) chair Chris Giancarlo, widely known as “Crypto Dad,” congratulated Selig in a March 3 post on X (formerly Twitter):
“Proud and excited for my protégé Michael Selig as he takes on this critical role at the SEC’s Crypto Task Force. The right person at the right time!”
Peirce’s former policy counsel, Sumeera Younis, was also named as the task force’s operations chief. This team, composed of both SEC veterans and industry-experienced legal minds, is expected to take a more balanced approach to crypto regulation.
The SEC’s Enforcement Retreat: What It Means for Crypto
In recent months, the SEC has dismissed several high-profile enforcement actions against crypto firms. Notably, the agency abandoned its lawsuit against Kraken on March 3. This was in contrast to the aggressive actions taken during the former administration, which saw multiple lawsuits against crypto projects.
The SEC’s policy shift has not gone unnoticed by the industry. Kraken CEO Dave Ripley reacted to the news of the case dismissal with a post on X:
“It’s a massive win for crypto, the United States of America, and the world. Since our inception, Kraken has operated with integrity and dedication to doing the right thing.”
The agency has also declared that memecoins do not fall under securities laws. This decision could have major implications for projects in the space. Additionally, the SEC recently closed its appeal against the leading crypto exchange Coinbase, amongst other actions to ease the crypto environment.
The March 21 roundtable will be live-streamed to the general public on SEC.gov, with recordings available afterward. While the primary discussions will be public, attendees will also participate in smaller, closed-door breakout sessions to encourage candid exchanges.
Acting Chair Uyeda has framed the initiative as a turning point for crypto regulation. The task force aims to establish clear rules rather than rely on case-by-case enforcement actions. This move was welcomed by many in the crypto industry.
“We cannot regulate by enforcement alone. It’s time we engage with the community and create real, enforceable rules,” Uyeda stated in a press release.
With a more open regulatory approach, industry participants believe the roundtable will lead to clearer, fairer rules for crypto businesses operating in the U.S.
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