U.S. financial regulators confirmed that current U.S. law permits registered exchanges to offer spot trading of cryptocurrency assets.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) issued a joint statement declaring that officially registered U.S. exchanges are authorized to organize spot trading of cryptocurrencies as well as financial products based on them.
The statement emphasized that national securities exchanges (NSE), designated contract markets (DCM), and foreign boards of trade (FBOT) registered with the CFTC face no legal obstacles to listing and executing transactions with digital assets, including those involving leverage, margin, or financing.
The agencies expressed readiness to promptly review applications and proposals from trading platforms and invited market participants to engage with them on any issues. Key aspects highlighted for market players include:
- Existing rules allow clearing organizations to cooperate with custodians in managing client accounts.
- Data-sharing among exchanges on pricing improves the effectiveness of market oversight.
- Publishing transaction information provides the public with valuable market data.
- Trading platforms must apply appropriate principles to ensure fair execution and competition.
- Regulators are prepared to work with industry participants to encourage technological innovation while safeguarding investor and client protection.
As part of an interagency initiative, regulators announced coordinated efforts to create conditions for crypto-asset trading. The initiative follows recommendations from the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, particularly around providing regulatory clarity that supports retaining blockchain innovation within the United States.
Earlier, the administration of President Donald Trump unveiled a comprehensive plan to reform digital asset regulation in the U.S., aimed at supporting innovation, developing the cryptocurrency market, and protecting consumer rights.
