Wall Street’s top market regulators are moving closer to formal oversight of the crypto sector and fast-growing prediction markets, marking a significant regulatory step under the Trump administration.
After months of public signalling from officials and political debate in Congress, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have submitted regulatory plans to the White House. While details remain limited, the move represents one of the most concrete actions yet by US regulators as they consider new frameworks for digital assets and event-based contracts.
The SEC, which oversees US securities markets, and the CFTC, responsible for derivatives trading, have both shifted their approach since President Donald Trump took office in 2025, adopting a more accommodating stance toward digital assets and so-called event contracts than under the previous administration.
Both sectors have increasingly moved toward mainstream finance. Prediction markets have expanded into a multi-billion-dollar business, while digital asset companies have gained renewed momentum following Trump’s pledge to make the US the “crypto capital” of the world.
SEC guidance could clarify treatment of crypto tokens
The White House’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) recorded receipt of a significant crypto-related measure from the SEC on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT). The entry refers to commission-level guidance titled: “Application of the Federal Securities Laws to Certain Types of Crypto Assets and Certain Transactions Involving Crypto Assets.”
In response to inquiries, an SEC spokesperson pointed to previous comments from SEC chairman Paul Atkins, who has indicated the regulator is considering interpretive guidance that would clarify how different crypto tokens may be categorised under US securities laws.
Atkins has also suggested the SEC could explore a token taxonomy framework aligned with broader market structure legislation, with the aim of giving investors and industry participants clearer guidance on their regulatory obligations.