The SEC and CFTC have finally agreed on something: they need to work together. After years of clashing over who should regulate what in the crypto space, both agencies are now aiming for better coordination. They say the confusion around who’s in charge has gone on for too long and it’s time to bring some order to the chaos.
A Joint Roundtable as Starting Point
This fresh approach came out of a joint roundtable in Washington, where both sides sat down to talk openly about the mess. SEC Chair Paul Atkins said it’s no longer acceptable for each agency to go off and do its own thing.
Regulatory clarity is key to making the U.S. the crypto capital of the world.
SEC Chairman Paul Atkins: “It is a new day at the SEC and CFTC… The age of harmonized, innovation-friendly oversight is here.”
Welcome to the golden age of digital assets. pic.twitter.com/rjpe1SDdt2
— Ondo Finance (@OndoFinance) September 29, 2025
He pointed out how the lack of coordination causes delays, piles on costs, and makes life harder for both businesses and everyday users. Acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham backed him up, saying the turf war between the two regulators needs to end if there’s going to be any real progress.
Why Harmonization, Not Merger
Some people have wondered if the answer is to just combine the two agencies into one. But Atkins made it clear that’s not on the table. The idea isn’t to create a single mega-regulator, but to make sure both sides are playing from the same playbook. That’s especially important when crypto products don’t fit neatly into existing categories. One token might act like a security, another might behave more like a commodity, and many sit somewhere in between. With clearer coordination, both agencies can stay separate but work more smoothly.
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What They Hope to Coordinate
So what does coordination actually mean in practice? The goal is to start aligning definitions for trading platforms and products, so they’re not talking past each other. They also want to clean up how data is reported, make sure margin rules don’t clash, and possibly allow more breathing room for innovation.
One idea floated during the roundtable was creating special carveouts that let new crypto products launch without tripping over conflicting rules. Commissioner Mark Uyeda also flagged how some of the older regulatory frameworks simply don’t work for what today’s markets look like, which adds another layer of confusion.
What This Signals for Crypto Markets
For crypto companies and traders, this new tone could be a big deal. Until now, many firms have had to guess which rules apply, or follow both just to be safe. That’s not just stressful, it’s expensive. If the SEC and CFTC can pull this off, it might finally bring some clarity. But they’ll still need help from Congress to really clean up the legal boundaries. Right now, each agency is limited in what it can do without new laws. The hope is that working together can fill the gaps, at least for now.
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What to Watch Next
This won’t be solved overnight. The real test is whether the two agencies stick to the plan. Will they actually align their definitions and reporting rules? Will they respond in a coordinated way when crypto companies start pushing limits? And will lawmakers step in to set clearer rules of the road? These are the things that will decide if this turns into lasting reform or just another press release. For now, at least, the SEC and CFTC are finally talking, and that alone feels like a change.
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Key Takeaways
- The SEC and CFTC have agreed to coordinate their efforts after years of confusion around crypto regulation.
- A joint roundtable marked the start of this new approach, with both agencies calling for clearer roles and communication.
- They plan to harmonize definitions, reporting standards, and margin rules without merging into one agency.
- The goal is to reduce cost, speed up innovation, and give crypto companies more clarity on compliance.
- This cooperation could lead to lasting reform if Congress supports it, but the results will depend on real follow-through.
The post SEC and CFTC Plan to Work Together on Crypto Oversight appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
