The U.S. SEC has released its examination priorities for the 2026 fiscal year, and for the first time in several years, crypto is not mentioned as a specific area of focus. The omission stands out, especially compared to the Gensler era, where crypto routinely appeared as a priority in annual exam documents. The shift aligns with the broader pro-crypto direction seen under President Donald Trump, whose administration has been active in deregulating the sector.
In last year’s priorities under former Chair Gary Gensler, the SEC explicitly highlighted the offer, sale, trading, and advisory activity around crypto assets. Spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs were directly named, and the Division of Examinations pledged close monitoring of firms offering crypto-related services.
This year’s document removes all of that. The SEC clarified that the published priorities are not exhaustive, but the absence of crypto marks a major shift from the agency’s past stance. Instead, the 2026 list centers on broad themes such as fiduciary duty, custody, customer protection, and oversight of brokerage and advisory firms.
While crypto is not mentioned, the SEC did highlight risks around emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and automated investment tools. The Division said it will closely review how firms deploy these tools and whether they expose investors to new risks.
Cybersecurity is another major theme for 2026. The SEC plans to pay “particular attention” to how financial firms respond to and recover from cyber incidents, including ransomware attacks. This mirrors the growing concern across federal agencies regarding digital-era threats to financial infrastructure.
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The change in tone comes as the U.S. crypto industry expands rapidly under President Trump, who has embraced the sector both publicly and through his family’s ventures. Trump-affiliated businesses have launched or invested in a trading platform, a mining operation, a stablecoin, and multiple token projects.
Current SEC Chair Paul Atkins emphasized that examinations should not be a “gotcha” exercise and that firms should be able to engage transparently with regulators. His comments reflect a broader shift away from aggressive enforcement and toward cooperation and clarity, an approach welcomed by many crypto firms.
Analyst Mason Blak C noted that the removal of the crypto section does not mean the SEC is abandoning oversight. Instead, crypto is no longer treated as a standalone “problem area.” It is being folded into the broader regulatory system alongside other assets and technologies. The agency can still intervene whenever digital assets pose risks, but the approach is shifting toward normalization rather than punishment.
He explained that this moment marks crypto’s transition from the fringe to a regulated part of the financial mainstream, not a victory lap, but a meaningful step toward long-term legitimacy.
