TLDR
- Over the span of three months starting April 2025, the SEC is arranging four additional crypto roundtables, touching on areas such as trading, custody, tokenization, and decentralized finance.
- These roundtables are a brainchild of the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, spearheaded by Commissioner Hester Peirce.
- This series of conversations marks a departure from the SEC's earlier stringent viewpoint on cryptocurrencies during the tenure of former Chair Gary Gensler.
- Acting SEC Chair Mark Uyeda is taking steps to reverse some of the regulations that were crafted during the Biden administration.
- Commissioner Peirce has termed these discussions as part of a significant effort that she labels the “Spring Sprint Toward Crypto Clarity.”
The In the next few months, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans to conduct four additional cryptocurrency-focused roundtables. With each meeting honing in on major facets of the cryptocurrency world, the schedule, continuing Peirce’s so-called “Spring Sprint Toward Crypto Clarity,” was revealed by the agency on March 25.
The kick-off of these discussions is slated for April 11, beginning with a session entitled “Between a Block and a Hard Place: Tailoring Regulation for Crypto Trading.” This session aims to investigate ways to adjust regulations to better fit the distinct nature of crypto markets.
Slated for April 25, the second roundtable will delve into crypto custody under the theme “Know Your Custodian: Key Considerations for Crypto Custody.” Expect insights on the storage and protection of digital assets.
On May 12, the topic of tokenization will take center stage at the SEC's roundtable titled “Tokenization – Moving Assets Onchain: Where TradFi and DeFi Meet.” This session will look into the transformation of conventional assets into blockchain-compatible forms.
Scheduled for June 6, the final roundtable will deep dive into decentralized finance, under the theme “DeFi and the American Spirit.” This event will scrutinize the blossoming sector of blockchain-based financial options operating sans central intermediaries.
These upcoming dialogues trail the inaugural event on March 27 that centered on understanding how different digital tokens are classified as securities. This foundational discussion congregated legal minds from the industry to dissect one of the most debatable facets of crypto regulation.
Mark your calendars for March 27th as we dive into a roundtable on artificial intelligence’s role in the financial arena. Discussions will orbit around the risks, advantages, and corporate governance of AI advancements.
More details: https://t.co/ekX2RWp2KQ pic.twitter.com/7fH3j1tlwj
— Published by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (@SECGov) March 25, 2025
The conception and management of the roundtables are the tasks of the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, birthed on January 21 by the direction of Acting SEC Chair Mark Uyeda. The task force is charged with formulating a realistic model for cryptocurrency regulations.
Commissioner Hester Peirce, at the helm of the task force, stressed the importance of these dialogues. “The Crypto Task Force roundtables offer a forum for animated debates among experts about addressing regulatory dilemmas and crafting viable solutions,” she remarked in the announcement.
Public participation is encouraged for all four roundtables, either by attending in person at the SEC headquarters in Washington, DC or tuning in online. The agency has yet to roll out detailed agendas or speaker lists for these gatherings.
From Enforcement to Collaboration
The roundtable series signifies a significant pivot in the SEC’s stance on digital currencies under the new administrative order. Gary Gensler’s leadership period was marked by what many industry voices labeled as a stringent tone toward crypto enterprises.
Lately, the commission has been retracting some enforcement actions against crypto companies that were commenced while Gensler was at the helm. This pivot marks a broader reassessment of existing crypto policies.
Acting Chair Uyeda has also conveyed intentions to walk back a rule proposal from the Biden era that aimed to tighten crypto custody guidelines for financial advisors. He declared this plan on March 17, underscoring the agency’s refreshed trajectory.
In a speech on March 10, Uyeda indicated his direction to the SEC team to look into dismantling components of suggested alterations that would widen the regulatory net over digital trading platforms to also encompass crypto firms, obligating them to register as official exchanges.
The SEC’s evolving attitude toward cryptocurrency oversight unfolds as the Trump administration finds its footing. Observers across the crypto landscape note an inclination from the agency towards a more collaborative and engaging dialogue with the crypto community.
Those keen to be on the speaking panel for the anticipated roundtables can reach out via email to the SEC’s Crypto Task Force. The agency alerts that due to the high volume of interest, not all proposals can be accepted.
Besides the crypto roundtables, on March 27, the SEC will also host a discussion addressing AI’s role in the financial domain. The event will scrutinize AI-related risks, benefits, and control measures with speakers including Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw, Uyeda, and Peirce.
