SEC and CFTC Plan Joint Talks to Advance US Crypto Regulation

Crypto regulation in the United States may be heading toward a turning point as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced plans to hold joint talks aimed at advancing digital asset policy. The two regulators confirmed they will host a collaborative event on January 27 to discuss regulatory harmonization, aligning their efforts with President Donald Trump’s vision of making the US the global crypto capital.

The planned meeting reflects a growing recognition that fragmented oversight has slowed innovation and created uncertainty for crypto market participants. SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins emphasized that outdated jurisdictional boundaries have forced companies to operate within unclear and misaligned regulatory frameworks. He noted that cooperation between the SEC and CFTC is essential to modernize oversight and provide clearer rules for the fast-evolving digital asset sector. CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig echoed this view, stating that harmonization would help ensure innovation continues to thrive in the US rather than moving offshore.

Despite this momentum, broader crypto regulation remains stalled. A key example is the CLARITY Act, which has yet to advance through the Senate. A draft released by the Senate Banking Committee sparked backlash from crypto firms, many of which criticized its structure and potential impact on the industry. As a result, the committee postponed its markup. At the same time, the Senate Agriculture Committee released its own partisan draft and scheduled a markup on the same day the SEC and CFTC plan to hold their joint discussions.

This timing highlights the ongoing uncertainty surrounding US crypto legislation. The Senate Banking Committee has reportedly shifted its focus to other legislative priorities, leading some analysts to project that the CLARITY Act may not move forward until March. Market sentiment reflects this doubt, as Polymarket data shows traders increasingly betting against the bill being signed into law in 2026, with odds dropping significantly from earlier highs.

Industry leaders are also divided. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson recently criticized Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse for supporting the CLARITY Act, arguing that passing a flawed bill could do more harm than good. Meanwhile, the White House has expressed confidence that the legislation will eventually pass, urging industry stakeholders and lawmakers to find common ground. As regulators coordinate and political debates continue, the future of US crypto regulation remains uncertain but increasingly active.