The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has officially launched a “crypto sprint” in partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to begin implementing the White House’s latest crypto-focused directives. The move comes shortly after President Donald Trump’s administration released a broad set of policy recommendations aimed at turning the U.S. into the global leader in digital assets.
CFTC and SEC Join Forces on Project Crypto
CFTC Acting Chair Caroline Pham announced that the agency would collaborate closely with SEC Chair Paul Atkins and Commissioner Hester Peirce on the “Project Crypto” initiative, aimed at regulatory clarity and modernization.
“The CFTC is wasting no time in fulfilling President Trump’s vision to make America the crypto capital of the world,” Pham said Friday.
This marks the first formal regulatory partnership between the two agencies since the release of Trump’s executive order on digital assets in January.
18 Key Recommendations Target Crypto Oversight
The President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets issued 18 recommendations for the CFTC, with two directly assigned to the agency.
- The first focuses on classifying cryptocurrencies as commodities, addressing how registration requirements apply to decentralized finance (DeFi), and advising CFTC-regulated entities on permissible crypto activity.
- The second urges a review of rules for blockchain-based derivatives, signaling the need to modernize oversight for emerging products.
The remaining 16 recommendations involve interagency coordination, particularly with the SEC and Treasury.
Push for Joint Rulemaking and Crypto Sandbox
Both agencies were advised to:
- Coordinate a formal rulemaking process
- Establish a regulatory sandbox for innovation
- Explore integrated service offerings across platforms
- Provide clear jurisdictional boundaries for crypto regulation
Notably, the White House also called on Congress to grant the CFTC clear authority over spot markets in non-security digital assets, potentially reshaping the U.S. crypto regulatory landscape.
Early Progress and Leadership Shift
Pham noted that the CFTC has already acted by:
- Meeting with crypto industry leaders
- Withdrawing outdated crypto advisories
- Finalizing plans to support 24/7 derivatives trading and perpetual contracts, aligning with industry preferences
Meanwhile, Brian Quintenz, a former CFTC commissioner and current head of policy at Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto arm, has been nominated by Trump to lead the agency. However, his Senate hearing was delayed at the White House’s request.
The Road Ahead
With bipartisan attention on crypto oversight and growing institutional interest, the CFTC-SEC collaboration marks a pivotal step toward regulatory maturity in the digital asset space. Expect accelerated developments in crypto commodities guidance, DeFi oversight, and spot market regulation as the U.S. positions itself for a leadership role in blockchain finance.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.