CFTC and SEC Launch ‘Crypto Sprint’ Following White House Push for U.S. Crypto Leadership
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has announced the launch of a “crypto sprint” in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), signaling a rapid effort to implement the White House’s latest cryptocurrency policy recommendations.
White House Crypto Plan Sparks Fast-Track Initiatives
Acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham confirmed on Friday that the agency will “work closely” with SEC Chair Paul Atkins and Commissioner Hester Peirce as part of its newly unveiled “Project Crypto.” This initiative follows the Trump administration’s executive order aimed at positioning the United States as a global hub for cryptocurrency innovation.
“The CFTC is wasting no time in fulfilling President Trump’s vision to make America the crypto capital of the world,” Pham stated.
The recommendations come from the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, which delivered a comprehensive report detailing actions for federal agencies to strengthen regulatory clarity and market innovation in digital assets.
18 Recommendations for the CFTC
The report presented 18 recommendations related to the CFTC, with two focused solely on the agency:
- Clarifying cryptocurrency as commodities – including guidance on how decentralized finance (DeFi) projects and CFTC registration requirements intersect.
- Modernizing rules for blockchain derivatives – enabling updated frameworks for derivatives trading built on blockchain technology.
The remaining 16 recommendations involve inter-agency collaboration, emphasizing joint efforts with the SEC, Treasury, and other financial regulators to streamline oversight of the growing digital asset market.
CFTC and SEC to Coordinate on Crypto Regulation
Key joint recommendations instruct the CFTC and SEC to:
- Develop a coordinated rulemaking process for cryptocurrency and digital assets.
- Provide clear guidance to market participants on regulatory expectations.
- Create a regulatory sandbox to support innovation while maintaining investor protection.
- Explore long-term strategies for allowing registrants to offer multiple crypto services through a single interface.
Congress was also urged to define the agencies’ respective roles, with the report recommending that the CFTC receive “clear authority to regulate spot markets in non-security digital assets,” giving it more oversight power over crypto trading.
CFTC Pushes Ahead with Crypto-Friendly Policies
Pham highlighted that the CFTC has already taken steps to accelerate crypto regulation. The agency recently:
- Met with cryptocurrency industry leaders to discuss regulatory clarity.
- Removed outdated staff advisories that no longer reflected the evolving digital asset landscape.
- Completed consultations on 24/7 derivatives trading and perpetual contracts, initiatives supported by several crypto companies.
In a further sign of the administration’s commitment to expanding U.S. leadership in crypto markets, President Trump has nominated Brian Quintenz, currently the global head of policy at Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto venture arm, to lead the CFTC. While a Senate confirmation hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, it was postponed at the request of the White House.
U.S. Aims to Become the ‘Crypto Capital’
The coordinated efforts between the CFTC, SEC, and other federal agencies mark a pivotal step in the White House’s plan to make the United States a global leader in cryptocurrency adoption, regulation, and innovation. If implemented effectively, these measures could usher in a new era of market clarity and investor confidence in digital assets.
