SEC plans clearer rules for crypto vaults and onchain trading
Updated
Updated · Markets Media · May 8
SEC plans clearer rules for crypto vaults and onchain trading
13 articles · Updated · Markets Media · May 8
Speaking at the SCSP AI+ Expo, the chairman said the agency may soon open a limited innovation pathway and pursue notice-and-comment rulemaking.
The plans would address how exchange, broker-dealer and clearing-agency definitions apply to onchain systems, including software interfaces, automated settlement and hybrid traditional-decentralised finance models.
He said the SEC would coordinate with other regulators and again urged Congress to pass the CLARITY Act, arguing clearer law is needed to keep innovation in US markets.
Will the SEC's new rulebook reclaim crypto innovation from offshore hubs, or is it too little, too late?
With T+0 settlement making risk instantaneous, are traditional 'clearing agency' rules now obsolete for onchain finance?
As the SEC targets crypto vaults, can decentralized yield products ever truly match the security of traditional bank accounts?
Navigating 2026 U.S. Crypto Regulation: SEC-CFTC Guidance, Broker-Dealer Compliance, and Market Transformation
Overview
In March 2026, the SEC and CFTC issued joint guidance establishing a clear framework for crypto assets, introducing a five-category taxonomy and clarifying that tokens can shift from securities to non-securities as projects evolve. This guidance, alongside the GENIUS Act's stablecoin regulations, spurred significant market growth, including a 49% surge in stablecoins and increased institutional investment through ETFs and public listings. The SEC also advanced broker-dealer custody rules and temporarily exempted certain app providers from registration, fostering innovation while maintaining investor protections. Despite these advances, unresolved issues like stablecoin yield restrictions, enforcement risks, and regulatory overlaps persist, highlighting the need for comprehensive legislation to solidify this evolving landscape.