SEC Chair Paul Atkins announces SEC-CFTC memorandum of understanding to align digital asset definitions and coordinate oversight, replacing regulatory gaps with innovation-friendly frameworks.
Regulation & Gov ·
At The Economic Club of New York on June 30, 2026, US SEC Chair Paul S. Atkins announced that the SEC and CFTC have signed a historic memorandum of understanding to align key definitions and coordinate oversight of digital assets. Atkins stated the SEC has advanced efforts to support markets moving on-chain through "Project Crypto," framing clear rules for digital assets as a prerequisite for market function rather than an industry favor.
The memorandum replaces what Atkins characterized as a regulatory vacuum between the two agencies with what he described as fertile ground for innovation. The SEC's work follows stated goals to make America the crypto capital of the world, according to Atkins' remarks.
The specific mechanics of how the SEC and CFTC will divide jurisdiction under the new understanding, and which asset categories or market activities each agency will oversee, remain undetailed in the available remarks. The practical impact of the alignment on existing or pending digital asset rulemakings has not yet been clarified.