SEC CFTC will Hold Harmonization Event for Crypto Regulation

• SEC and CFTC will hold a joint crypto harmonization event on January 27.
• The move comes as Congress stalls on passing a crypto market structure bill.
• SEC crypto enforcement fell 60% in 2025, with a shift toward fraud-only cases

The US Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission will hold a joint public event on Tuesday, January 27, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Eastern at CFTC headquarters in Washington.

The session will be led by SEC Chair Paul Atkins and CFTC Chair Michael Selig and will focus on harmonizing crypto regulation between the two agencies. 

Both regulators said the goal is to fix long-standing overlap and confusion between securities and commodities rules. The event is part of President Donald Trump’s crypto agenda, which aims to position the United States as the global center for crypto markets.

Timing Matters

The harmonization push comes as Congress struggles to pass a crypto market structure bill. The Senate Banking and Senate Agriculture Committees are working on separate drafts that would formally define how the SEC and CFTC divide oversight of crypto assets. Both efforts are delayed as lawmakers try to secure bipartisan support.

A Senate Banking draft released earlier this month added tighter limits on stablecoin yields and expanded restrictions on decentralized finance. The draft triggered strong industry pushback, including Coinbase pulling its support, which delayed the committee’s planned markup.

Senate Agriculture Republicans released their own draft this week, but Democrats on the committee have not supported it. With legislation stalled, regulators are moving first.

The January 27 session will open with brief remarks from Atkins and Selig, followed by a joint discussion. It will be held at CFTC headquarters, open to the public, and streamed live on the SEC’s website. Doors open at 9:30 am Eastern, and online viewers do not need to register.

Enforcement Pressure Has Already Dropped

A 2025 Cornerstone Research report shows the SEC opened 13 crypto-related enforcement actions last year, down from 33 in 2024. That is a 60% decline and the lowest level since 2017.

Five of those cases were initiated before Gary Gensler left office in January 2025. The remaining eight were brought under Paul Atkins and focused mainly on fraud claims. 

Broad registration-based cases largely stopped. Total monetary penalties tied to crypto fell to $142 million in 2025, less than 3% of the amount imposed in 2024. Seven crypto cases were dismissed under the new leadership.

Related: CFTC Chair Steps Up Blockchain and AI Regulation With New Advisory Committee