SEC Crypto Safe Harbor Proposal Advances to White House Review

Apr 7, 2026

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's 'Reg Crypto' proposal addressing fundraising and startup exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933 has advanced to White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs review as of April 2026. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins announced at an April 6, 2026 event co-hosted by Vanderbilt University and the Blockchain Association that the innovation exemption framework will be released shortly and is designed to allow startups to experiment without disadvantaging incumbents. Atkins emphasized the proposal is not a final rule but requires market feedback on its functioning. He urged crypto supporters to engage with the 2026 midterm elections to ensure representatives like Senator Bernie Moreno remain in Congress, warning that an unfriendly Congress could create uncertainty about whether crypto regulatory progress represents a lasting policy shift.

SEC's 'Reg Crypto' Proposal and Regulatory Framework

▪Paul Atkins spoke at an event hosted by Vanderbilt University and the Blockchain Association on April 6, 2026.
▪The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's 'Reg Crypto' proposal is under review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as of April 2026.
▪The SEC's 'Reg Crypto' proposal is focused on the Securities Act of 1933.
▪The SEC's 'Reg Crypto' proposal will address fundraising and startup exemptions.
▪Paul Atkins serves as Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as of April 2026.

Innovation Exemption and Startup Focus

▪The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission intends to publish a long-awaited innovation exemption soon as of April 2026.

Political Engagement and Congressional Support

▪Paul Atkins cited Senator Bernie Moreno as an example of a crypto-friendly congressional representative.
▪Paul Atkins urged crypto event attendees to engage with the 2026 midterm election to ensure supportive representatives are in Congress.
▪Paul Atkins stated the SEC's rulemaking process has sufficient runway despite potential outcomes in the 2026 midterm elections.

Perspective of Paul Atkins and the SEC

▪Paul Atkins believes the success of SEC crypto regulatory progress depends on maintaining crypto-friendly representatives in Congress after the 2026 midterm elections.
▪Paul Atkins frames Senator Bernie Moreno as a model of the type of congressional support needed for crypto regulation.

Perspective of Crypto industry and Blockchain Association

▪Paul Atkins' call for crypto event attendees to engage with 2026 midterm elections implies the industry must actively defend regulatory gains.
▪The Blockchain Association's co-hosting of Paul Atkins' April 2026 speech signals crypto industry engagement with SEC regulatory development.