The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have announced a joint event on the future of crypto oversight amid the Trump administration’s push to welcome the sector.

SEC-CFTC Push Joint Crypto Oversight

On Thursday, SEC Chairman Paul Atking and CFTC Chairman Michael Selig announced they will hold an event next week to discuss regulatory harmonization between the two sister agencies.

According to the announcement, the pro-industry chairmen will outline the efforts to work together and cooperate to “deliver on President Trump’s promise to make the United States the crypto capital of the world.”

The event will be hosted on January 27 at the CFTC headquarters and moderated by crypto journalist Eleanor Terret. Additionally, it will be open to the public and livestreamed on both agencies’ websites.

“For too long, market participants have been forced to navigate regulatory boundaries that are unclear in application and misaligned in design, based solely on legacy jurisdictional silos,” said SEC Chair Atkins and CFTC Chair Selig in a joint statement.

“This event will build on our broader harmonization efforts to ensure that innovation takes root on American soil, under American law, and in service of American investors, consumers, and economic leadership,” they added.

Last year, the SEC and CFTC began discussing their options for effectively collaborating on crypto regulations, as a clear framework for digital assets became a top priority for the agencies

As reported by Bitcoinist, the agencies explored reinstating the CFTC-SEC joint advisory committee to develop recommendations on ongoing issues, including efforts in regulatory coordination.

During a September joint roundtable between the two agencies, Atking declared that the era of regulatory fragmentation was ending and the age of harmonized, innovation-friendly crypto oversight was here:

 We are at a crossroads. If we follow the path of our predecessors, America risks ceding leadership in the next chapter of financial history. (…) This ends now (…) our two agencies must work in lockstep to transform dual regulation from a source of confusion into a source of strength. Together, we can offer the best of both worlds: the investor protections that have defined U.S. markets, combined with the innovation-friendly approach that will keep us at the frontier of financial technology throughout the 21st century.

The SEC’s Director of the Division of Trading and Markets, Jamie Selway, highlighted the SEC’s efforts to “further harmonize its rules with our sister regulator, the CFTC. In a January 22 speech, He affirmed that the Division will work shoulder-to-shoulder with the CFTC staff to ensure the US’s continued leadership in financial markets, following Atkins’ September directions.

Congress Regulatory Efforts Stall

The SEC and CFTC’s efforts to regulate the crypto market come as the US Congress struggles to establish a framework to oversee the sector. The Senate Banking Committee’s version of the market structure bill, which focuses on the SEC’s oversight, was delayed after multiple market participants criticized the bill’s draft.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong shared his disappointment with the crypto legislation, withdrawing the company’s support last week. “This version would be materially worse than the current status quo. We’d rather have no bill than a bad bill,” he affirmed.

The Senate Agriculture Committee published its version of the CLARITY Act on Thursday, which mainly addresses the CFTC’s role and regulations, scheduling its markup session for January 27.

Eleanor Terret shared that the industry’s reaction has been mostly positive, “with stakeholders noting the bill’s close similarities to the House Agriculture Committee’s version of the Clarity Act.”

However, recent reports have warned that the Banking Committee’s crypto talks may not resume until later February or early March, as focus shifts to advancing affordable housing plans linked to President Trump’s priorities.

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and CFTC Chairman Michael Selig will hold a joint event on January 27 to discuss regulatory harmonization and efforts to make the United States the global crypto capital.

The two regulators issued a joint statement announcing the event will take place at CFTC headquarters from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET, marking another step in their ongoing coordination efforts.

“For too long, market participants have been forced to navigate regulatory boundaries that are unclear in application and misaligned in design, based solely on legacy jurisdictional silos,” the chairmen said in their statement.

“This event will build on our broader harmonization efforts to ensure that innovation takes root on American soil, under American law, and in service of American investors, consumers, and economic leadership.“

I'm looking forward to joining @ChairmanSelig next week at our @SECgov and @CFTC joint event to discuss harmonization between our two agencies.

Together we will discuss our efforts to deliver on President Trump’s promise to make the US the crypto capital of the world.

Join us! https://t.co/qgJwmiHYus

— Paul Atkins (@SECPaulSAtkins) January 22, 2026

Regulators Build on September’s Historic Turf War Resolution

The upcoming event continues momentum from a September 29 roundtable where both agencies publicly declared an end to their jurisdictional conflicts.

CFTC Commissioner Caroline Pham told attendees at that gathering that “the turf war is over,” while Atkins described it as “a turning point for American financial markets.“

That roundtable brought together executives from major platforms, including Kraken, Polymarket, Kalshi, Nasdaq, CME Group, and Robinhood, to discuss coordinated oversight of digital assets.

Atkins emphasized at the time that “for years, the SEC and CFTC have worked in silos, sometimes at odds,” but that era had ended.

The January 27 event will feature opening remarks from both chairmen, followed by a fireside chat moderated by Eleanor Terrett, co-founder of Crypto in America.

Doors open at 9:30 a.m., and the session will be broadcast live on the SEC’s website.

Agencies Accelerate Crypto Policy After Leadership Changes

Both regulators have moved aggressively on digital asset policy since new leadership took over in 2025.

Atkins assumed the SEC chairmanship in April after Gary Gensler’s departure, immediately shifting away from enforcement-based regulation toward clearer frameworks and guidance.

As reported by Cryptonews today, under Atkins, the SEC opened just 13 crypto-related enforcement actions in 2025 compared to 33 in 2024, a 60% decline and the lowest level since 2017, according to Cornerstone Research.

Eight of those cases involved fraud allegations, indicating a narrower focus on investor harm rather than broad registration theories.

The agency also dismissed seven ongoing actions and reduced total monetary penalties to $142 million, less than 3% of 2024 levels.

The SEC opened just 13 crypto enforcement cases in 2025, down 60% from 2024, with most new actions under Chair Paul Atkins focused on fraud.#SEC #CryptoEnforcement https://t.co/YI5S1uVisH

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 23, 2026

Selig took the CFTC helm on December 22 after Senate confirmation, replacing acting chair Caroline Pham.

He immediately launched the Future-Proof initiative, a comprehensive review aimed at updating decades-old regulations for blockchain, AI-driven trading, and prediction markets.

“We are at a unique moment as a wide range of novel technologies, products, and platforms are emerging,” Selig said after his swearing-in.

“Under my leadership, the CFTC will conquer these great frontiers and ensure that the innovations of tomorrow are Made in America.“

Joint Efforts Face Congressional Pressure on Market Structure Bills

The harmonization push comes as Congress advances competing digital asset legislation.

The Senate Agriculture Committee released updated text for its Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act and scheduled a January 27 markup at 3 p.m., just hours after the Atkins-Selig event concludes.

Chairman John Boozman acknowledged that “differences remain on fundamental policy issues” with Democrats, who failed to support the bill despite extended negotiations.

The markup could proceed on party lines, unlike the House Agriculture Committee’s bipartisan 47-6 vote on similar legislation.

According to Eleanor Terrett, Senator Cory Booker’s team told Politico that he will continue working with Boozman to pass and sign the legislation, though no Democrats have publicly supported the text.

NEW: Where do we stand on crypto market structure legislation right now? The @SenateAg Committee released its latest legislative text last night, with Chairman @JohnBoozman (R-AR) acknowledging that Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a deal despite an extra two weeks of…

— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) January 22, 2026

Meanwhile, the Senate Banking Committee delayed its markup of the CLARITY Act until late February or March to focus on housing legislation.

Industry divisions over stablecoin yield provisions have complicated negotiations, with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong calling certain restrictions “catastrophic” before withdrawing support.

However, President Trump confirmed at Davos 2026 that he expects to sign crypto market structure legislation “very soon,” stating his administration is working to ensure “America remains the crypto capital of the world.”

For now, the joint regulatory event indicates that both agencies are preparing to implement whatever framework Congress ultimately delivers.

The post SEC’s Atkins and CFTC’s Selig Unite to End Crypto Regulatory Chaos appeared first on Cryptonews.

US securities regulators opened far fewer crypto-related enforcement actions in 2025, with a Cornerstone Research report pointing to a sharp shift in priorities after President Donald Trump’s administration installed Paul Atkins as SEC chair.

The report found the SEC initiated 13 crypto-related actions in 2025, down from 33 in 2024, a 60% decline and the lowest level since 2017.

Part of that count reflects a handover at the top. Five of the 13 actions were initiated under Gary Gensler before his departure in Jan. 2025, while eight were initiated under Atkins. Those eight included allegations of fraud.

That mix matters for crypto markets that spent the last few years bracing for regulation by enforcement.

Image Source: Cornerstone Research

Fewer Cases, But A Sharper Focus Under Atkins

With the SEC focusing new crypto cases on fraud, the focus has shifted away from broad registration theories and toward cases built around clear investor harm that are easier to argue in court.

The same report also found 29 crypto-related actions were resolved in 2025, including seven that the SEC dismissed under Atkins.

Meanwhile, total monetary penalties imposed against digital asset market participants came to $142M in 2025, which Cornerstone said was less than 3% of the penalties imposed in 2024.

SEC Focus Turns To Frameworks Beyond Courtrooms

“Enforcement actions under Chair Atkins reflect a shift in the SEC’s approach to digital-asset oversight, consistent with the priorities laid out in early 2025,” said Robert Letson, a principal at Cornerstone Research.

“Digital asset regulation continues to evolve and is something we will be watching closely in 2026.”

Atkins took office in April 2025 after a brief period with an acting chair, and legal observers have tracked a broader reset in tone across the agency since the leadership change.

If the SEC keeps prioritizing cases it can frame as fraud, the next phase of US crypto oversight may hinge less on surprise lawsuits and more on what rulemaking, guidance, or negotiated standards the commission chooses to put on the table in 2026.

The post SEC Crypto Crackdown Shrinks 60% Under Trump Pick Paul Atkins appeared first on Cryptonews.

House Democrats have accused the SEC of abandoning many high-profile investigations, including its legal battle with Ripple, which has brought attention back to the agency’s handling of crypto enforcement. 

The claims, which were outlined in a January 15 letter to SEC Chair Paul Atkins, raised questions about why several cases were dropped after favorable court rulings and whether political relationships played any role in those decisions. However, according to crypto attorney Bill Morgan, these cases are wrapped up, done, and dusted.

Lawmakers Say SEC Walked Away From Major Crypto Cases

In a January 15, 2026 letter addressed to Atkins, House Democrats accused the agency of dramatically scaling back crypto enforcement since early 2025. The lawmakers claimed the SEC has dismissed or closed more than a dozen major crypto-related cases, including actions against Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, and Ripple, despite having received favorable court rulings in some of those matters. 

According to the letter, companies whose cases or investigations were dismissed donated at least $1 million each to Trump’s inauguration. This raises concerns about an unmistakable inference of a pay-to-play scheme, investor protection and market integrity at a time when digital assets are starting to become deeply intertwined with capital markets.

Much of the letter’s criticism was focused on the SEC’s decision to seek and maintain a stay in its case against Justin Sun, which has now been in place for about 11 months now. Unlike all the other cases, the SEC’s case against Justin Sun has not yet been dismissed. Democratic Lawmakers claimed this move sends a dangerous signal that political connections may influence enforcement outcomes. 

The letter explicitly referenced Sun’s reported financial ties to businesses linked to Donald Trump. One of which was Sun’s reveal in September 2025 that he was purchasing an additional $10 million worth of $WLFI tokens from World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a Trump family business. 

According to the democrats, such circumstances could undermine public trust in the SEC’s independence. The Letter also seeks information related to the SEC’s knowledge of Sun’s ties to the People’s Republic of China and any CCP-affiliated persons or entities.

Crypto Lawyer Pushes Back On Ripple Lawsuit Talk

The letter by House Democrats brings into focus whether political pressure could lead to a new action against Ripple and other firms. However, according to Morgan, this is not possible.

Morgan dismissed the idea that the SEC could simply relaunch cases it has already litigated or closed on the same grounds, pointing to the legal doctrine of res judicata. Under that principle, once a matter has been conclusively decided between the same parties, it cannot be retried on identical issues.

“Too bad the SEC can’t go against those companies again on the same matters. Res Judicata baby. Live with it fools,” he said.

Still, one unresolved question hangs over the broader controversy. Unlike the other crypto cases cited in the lawmakers’ letter, the SEC’s action against Justin Sun has not been formally dismissed and can be revisited anytime.

Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView

In a critical week for the cryptocurrency industry, following the delayed markup of the Crypto Market Structure bill (CLARITY Act), House Democrats are calling on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chair, Paul Atkins, to reinstate enforcement actions against crypto firms. 

The letter, dated January 15, was signed by Representatives Maxine Waters, Sean Casten, and Brad Sherman, who expressed concerns regarding the SEC’s recent retreat to investigate and prosecute alleged violations related to “digital asset securities.”

House Democrats’ Allegations

The representatives highlighted that since January 2025, the SEC has dismissed or closed more than a dozen cases involving crypto-related activities, including litigations against major players like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken. Just this week, the SEC also closed its case against the Zcash Foundation.

In their letter, the lawmakers alleged that given the industry’s “troubling history of harming investors,” the SEC’s decision to pull back raises serious questions about its priorities and effectiveness. They warned that this shift puts both investors and the broader US economy at considerable risk.

Moreover, the representatives highlighted unprecedented lobbying and monetary contributions to political figures, including President Trump and his associates, from the digital asset sector. They pointed out that this could have influenced the SEC’s decision to abandon a majority of its crypto enforcement actions. 

Alleged Conflicts Of Interest Between Trump And Crypto 

These concerns follows months of allegations from the Democratic Party suggesting conflicts of interest between the Trump administration and the crypto industry, particularly highlighted by last year’s pardon for former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and connections to the Trump-affiliated World Liberty Financial (WLFI).

According to the lawmakers, the SEC’s choice to walk away from these enforcement cases has raised suspicions of a possible pay-to-play dynamic. They argued that allowing violators of securities laws to escape without repercussions contradicts the SEC’s primary responsibility. 

Furthermore, the Representatives claim that recent statements by Chair Atkins, who said that ‘most crypto tokens are not securities’, have caused confusion.

The Democrats further pointed out that this lack of enforcement against digital assets leaves investors “vulnerable” and allegedly fails to protect them from potential violations in the market.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

US Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins is confident that a long-awaited crypto market structure bill could find its way into US President Donald Trump’s office for signature before the end of the year.

The SEC chief highlighted ongoing efforts during an interview with Fox Business to clarify rules around digital asset trading and said the bill could provide much-needed guidance to investors and trading platforms.

Atkins Expresses Confidence

Atkins, who was confirmed by the Senate in April 2025 in a 52-44 vote, said tokenization and faster settlement systems are part of the next phase for US markets. He argued that a market structure law would give firms and investors clearer signals about which rules apply to trading in digital assets.

Reports have disclosed that the chair sees the bill as fitting the administration’s push to make the US more competitive in crypto.

This is a big week for crypto – Congress is on the cusp of upgrading our financial markets for the 21st century. I am wholly supportive of Congress providing clarity on the jurisdictional split between the SEC and the @CFTC. pic.twitter.com/NtDWRW85kL

— Paul Atkins (@SECPaulSAtkins) January 12, 2026

Lawmakers’ Calendar And Odds

Based on reports from financial analysts, the path to passage is not guaranteed. One market note put the chance of the bill clearing Congress in 2026 at roughly 50-60%, and warned that delays could push final action into 2027.

Other analysts have suggested a longer road, saying implementation of final market structure rules might not be settled for years if political dynamics change.

What Is Being Negotiated

The draft measures under discussion aim to define which federal agency supervises different types of digital instruments, establish standards for trading venues that list tokens, and create clearer reporting rules for market participants.

Reports have disclosed that committee markups are expected before any Senate floor vote, and those sessions will shape the bill’s final text.

Industry Reaction, Market Talk

The optimism expressed by Atkins has been welcomed by industry associations, as they see that clear guidance could lead to more institutional capital flowing into the onshore crypto trading space. On the other hand, the sentiment from many companies is that there is still a level of caution surrounding future regulations.

Although regulators continue to show a level of agreement regarding overall regulation, the details of custody, custody provider(s), and oversight split between various regulatory agencies must be agreed upon by Congress before any definitive progress can be made.

This back-and-forth between Congress and regulatory agencies has caused the markets to react in a pattern of quick positive movements followed by corresponding negative movements due to legislative inaction.

Political Timing Could Matter

The midterm and committee calendars are being watched closely. If the Senate delays key votes, support that exists now could wane or be reshaped by other priorities.

Some commentators argue that fast action would lock in regulatory clarity; others say a rushed law could leave gaps that require later fixes. The debate over speed versus detail is active in Washington.

Featured image from Gemini, chart from TradingView

Bitcoin Magazine

SEC Chair: Fate of Rumored Venezuelan Bitcoin Stash ‘Remains to Be Seen’

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins said today that it remains unclear whether the U.S. government will move to seize the widely discussed Bitcoin holdings rumored to be tied to Venezuela, an uncertainty that comes as Washington seeks to bring greater regulatory clarity to digital asset markets.

Atkins told Fox Business the question of pursuing the so‑called Venezuela Bitcoin stash — variously estimated at roughly 600,000 BTC, or about $56 billion to $67 billion at current prices — is “still to be seen” and is being handled by other parts of the administration. 

“I leave that to others to deal with. That’s not my focus,” Atkins said, underscoring that the SEC is not currently prioritizing asset confiscation.

Rumors in crypto and intelligence circles have pointed to a massive “shadow reserve” of Bitcoin allegedly accumulated by the Venezuelan government through gold sales, oil deals settled in stablecoins, and other transactions dating back to 2018.

If verified and under U.S. control, such a reserve would rank among the largest Bitcoin holdings globally. 

But independent blockchain analysts note that there is no verifiable on‑chain evidence yet linking wallets containing such amounts to Venezuela’s government, and publicly traceable addresses connected to state entities reflect only a tiny fraction of the rumored holdings.

BREAKING: SEC Chair Paul Atkins says it "remains to be seen" if the US takes Venezuela's reported $60 billion in #Bitcoin holdings pic.twitter.com/qeukJX6Dhm

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) January 12, 2026

Bitcoin and CLARITY Act update 

Atkins pivoted quickly from the Venezuela question to highlight ongoing legislative efforts in Congress aimed at clarifying the regulatory framework for digital assets. 

“This week is an important week because the Senate is taking up a bipartisan bill that will bring clarity and certainty to the crypto world,” he said, referring to a measure designed to delineate oversight responsibilities between the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

The bill — backed by members of both parties and anticipated to be marked up this week — represents the next step in positioning the U.S. as a global leader in digital asset markets, Atkins said.

He also cited the Genius Act, passed late last year, as the first statute formally recognizing crypto assets under U.S. law, and credited it with helping to bring regulatory clarity to stablecoin frameworks.

Atkins expressed optimism that with clearer rules, markets will gain much‑needed certainty around products and oversight. 

He noted ongoing collaboration with the new CFTC chairman and reiterated the SEC’s commitment to enforcing future regulations once enacted. 

While ethical questions around public officials and crypto business interests remain under Congressional purview, Atkins said the immediate priority is a regulatory regime that reduces market ambiguity and supports investor confidence.

This post SEC Chair: Fate of Rumored Venezuelan Bitcoin Stash ‘Remains to Be Seen’ first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.