Regulators Seek Unified Crypto Framework in Historic Collaboration

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have announced a joint roundtable scheduled for September 29, 2025, aimed at discussing regulatory harmonization priorities between the two agencies. The event, set to take place at the SEC headquarters in Washington, D.C., will run from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time [1]. As of September 5, 2025, the meeting is open for in-person registration only, with a live webcast planned for remote attendees [1]. The roundtable is part of ongoing efforts to align regulatory frameworks in the evolving cryptocurrency and digital asset markets, where overlapping jurisdictions often create compliance challenges for market participants [1].

The focus of the event is on identifying common objectives and areas of potential overlap in the SEC and CFTC’s regulatory approaches. Both agencies have been working independently but with increasing coordination to address the complexities of the crypto ecosystem. The roundtable is expected to involve industry stakeholders, legal experts, and policy advisors who will contribute to a dialogue on regulatory best practices and potential conflicts. This marks a significant step in inter-agency collaboration, particularly as digital assets continue to challenge traditional financial market structures [1].

The SEC and CFTC have historically operated under distinct mandates—Securities laws versus Commodity futures and derivatives—leading to jurisdictional ambiguity in crypto regulation. This event follows a series of actions by the agencies to clarify their respective roles and responsibilities in the crypto space. The joint statement accompanying the announcement emphasizes the need for a consistent and coordinated approach to address emerging risks and opportunities in the digital asset sector [1]. The roundtable is expected to serve as a foundational step toward a more unified regulatory posture.

Participants attending the roundtable will have the opportunity to engage in a moderated discussion on key topics such as investor protection, market integrity, and enforcement coordination. While the event is not open to the public in physical form, the availability of a webcast reflects the agencies’ commitment to transparency and broader stakeholder engagement [1]. This aligns with recent trends in regulatory communication, where public participation and accessibility have become increasingly important in shaping policy outcomes.

Analysis of the event suggests that the joint roundtable could influence future regulatory actions, including potential changes to enforcement strategies or the development of new guidance. As the crypto market continues to expand, harmonization between the SEC and CFTC may help reduce regulatory uncertainty and create a more predictable environment for businesses and investors. However, the ultimate impact will depend on the depth of collaboration and the follow-through on any commitments made during the meeting [1].

Source: [1] SEC-CFTC Joint Roundtable Sept 29 2025 (https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/meetings-events/sec-cftc-joint-roundtable-sept-29-2025)