SEC Launches Crypto Task Force, New Enforcement Unit
1min read The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has stepped up its engagement with the digital asset sector, announcing a series of roundtables and the formation of a new enforcement unit. The agency's Crypto Task Force will host five roundtables, starting on March 21 in Washington, D.C., to address key regulatory topics, with the first session focusing on the security status of digital assets.
These moves signal a shift in the SEC's stance on cryptocurrencies and a broader push for regulatory clarity in the fintech sector by the Trump administration. The new administration has made digital financial technology a priority, with President Donald Trump signing an executive order to establish firm rules for digital assets and forming a presidential working group on digital asset markets led by former PayPal executive David Sacks.
Beyond the roundtables, the SEC has announced the creation of the Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit (CETU), which replaces the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit. The new team, led by Laura D’Allaird and comprising 30 anti-fraud experts and attorneys, will focus on fighting fraud linked to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain. The unit will also address cybersecurity threats, such as hack attempts and fake disclosures by publicly listed companies.
The acting chairman of the SEC, Mark Uyeda, has stated that the new unit will enforce compliance more effectively and prioritize protecting investors while promoting technological progress. He also noted that the SEC's crypto task force, launched in January, will help outline a clear rulebook for digital assets.
International regulators have expressed concerns about the U.S. administration's push for deregulation in the crypto sector. Olli Rehn, vice-chair of the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB), has warned that rolling back financial regulations, including those affecting crypto, could harm Europe's economy. The ESRB is now evaluating possible steps to maintain global financial market stability.
