Sep 28, 2026
SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and CFTC Chairman Michael Selig announced on September 16, 2026 that their agencies will proceed with writing cryptocurrency regulations under existing statutory authority following the Senate's failure to advance the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act. The SEC has a crypto offering rule out for public comment until October 20.
Following the Senate's failure to advance the CLARITY Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued new regulatory guidance for cryptocurrency developers and markets, with the CFTC submitting a proposed framework to the White House for review.
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission submitted new crypto market structure rulemaking to the White House just two days after the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act failed in the Senate by a 49-50 vote. The regulatory move shifts U.S. crypto policy from Congress to federal agencies acting under existing authority.
The Senate failed to advance the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act on Tuesday, falling short of the 60 votes needed for cloture despite last-minute ethics provisions added to address Democratic concerns about federal officials profiting from cryptocurrency. Republicans rejected a Democratic counteroffer ahead of the vote.
Chuck Schumer convened Democratic caucus Sunday evening to discuss the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act before Tuesday's procedural vote. Trump reportedly met with advisers Friday to discuss ethics provisions in the bill.
SEC Chairman Paul Atkins has expressed confidence that the Senate will hold a procedural cloture vote on the CLARITY Act on September 15, with the crypto regulatory framework legislation expected to advance this month. The bill aims to provide regulatory clarity for digital assets in the U.S.
Pakistan's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority has opened its licensing portal after notifying regulations governing crypto exchanges and other virtual asset service providers, with a September 5 deadline for compliance.
Pakistan's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) has launched its licensing portal, requiring all crypto firms operating in the country on or before March 5 to apply for a No Objection Certificate by September 5 or stop their services. The move marks Pakistan's transition from an unregulated crypto market to a full licensing regime.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission published proposed Regulation Crypto rulemaking to establish a framework for crypto tokens and capital raising, moving forward independently as the CLARITY Act remains on hold in the Senate. Coinbase CEO and others are urging passage of the CLARITY Act by September 15 to define regulatory roles between the SEC and CFTC.
CFTC Chairman Michael Selig announced the agency will move forward with crypto market structure regulations using existing authority if Congress fails to pass the Clarity Act. The directive came during the first meeting of the CFTC's Innovation Advisory Committee.
President Donald Trump met with cryptocurrency and traditional finance executives at the White House to discuss the Clarity Act, a federal regulatory framework for the crypto market. Trump appeared optimistic about advancing the legislation, which represents a major priority for establishing US digital asset dominance.
CFTC Chairman Michael Selig announced the agency will move forward with its own cryptocurrency market structure rules using existing authority if Congress does not pass the CLARITY Act this year. Selig directed staff to explore regulatory options and prepare formal proposals.
CFTC Chairman Michael Selig announced the agency will move forward with its own cryptocurrency market structure rules using existing authority if Congress does not pass the CLARITY Act this year. Selig directed staff to explore regulatory options and prepare formal proposals.
Pakistan announced a new regulatory framework for cryptocurrency after nearly a decade-long ban, while South Korea approved BitGo Korea as the first foreign crypto firm to receive a virtual asset service provider license. The moves signal growing regulatory acceptance of digital assets across Asia.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed a new regulatory framework called Reg Crypto that could provide a formal path for hundreds of existing tokens to exit investment contract status. The proposal coincides with President Trump hosting cryptocurrency executives at the White House, though the framework faces potential challenges without congressional legislative backing.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has postponed its planned innovation exemption for tokenized securities and abruptly canceled an August 14 meeting where crypto reform rules were expected to be considered. The delays come amid concerns from Wall Street and the White House, and as Senate recess weakens momentum for the Clarity Act.
With the CLARITY Act delayed in the Senate, both the SEC and CFTC are advancing their own cryptocurrency regulatory frameworks. The SEC proposed 'Regulation Crypto Assets' on August 18, while the CFTC scheduled its inaugural Innovation Advisory Committee meeting for August 20 to examine crypto regulation, as the White House prepares to meet with industry executives.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will hold an open meeting Friday to consider proposing new rules establishing a tailored regulatory framework for certain digital asset offerings, potentially including a token safe harbor provision.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed a procedural motion to advance the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act on August 8, setting up a potential September 15 vote, but the Senate then departed for August recess without holding the vote, reducing the bill's chances of passing before midterm elections.
The U.S. Senate postponed a vote on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act until September after Democrats withheld consent needed to bring the crypto market structure bill to the floor before the August recess. Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed a motion to proceed, setting up a procedural vote when Congress returns.
The Senate's cryptocurrency market structure legislation, known as the CLARITY Act, faces a tight timeline for a vote before the August recess, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicating an initial vote is expected but the bill reportedly remains seven votes short of the 60 needed for passage. The White House is reviewing the latest draft as bipartisan negotiations intensify.
South Korea's Financial Services Commission is accelerating cryptocurrency regulation by proposing a consolidated Framework Act on Digital Assets that includes stablecoin rules, aiming to streamline the country's crypto regulatory framework.
The United States missed the July 18, 2026 deadline to implement its GENIUS Act while the CLARITY Act stalls, as Europe's MiCA regulations result in only 280 of approximately 2,800 crypto firms gaining authorization. South Africa's Reserve Bank continues developing regulations for its 8 million crypto traders.
Luxembourg's financial regulator granted Ripple preliminary approval for a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) license under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), allowing the company to offer regulated payment services across all 30 EU countries ahead of the July 1 deadline.
The CFTC and SEC issued a joint request for comment on clarifying definitions of 'swaps' and 'security-based swaps,' including for perpetual futures and event contracts, the same day CME Group announced plans to sue the CFTC over approval of perpetual futures for Kalshi and Coinbase.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission opened public comment on proposed rules for prediction markets that would prohibit contracts dependent on war, assassination, or the ouster of foreign leaders, while also banning certain sports prop bets.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission released its strategic plan for 2026-2030 highlighting digital assets and blockchain as key regulatory priorities, while the Senate prepares to vote on the CLARITY Act this month amid warnings that delays could push comprehensive crypto regulation to 2030.
The U.S. Senate Banking Committee voted on May 14, 2026 to advance the Clarity Act, a comprehensive cryptocurrency regulation bill, marking the first major legislative progress for the crypto industry. The approval came despite minority staff releasing a national security advisory warning the bill fails to address vulnerabilities exploited by criminals and foreign adversaries.
The Senate Banking Committee has publicly released the full text of the Clarity Act, a digital asset market structure bill that will establish a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. The committee is scheduled to vote on the legislation on Thursday.
The U.S. Treasury Department issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on April 8 requiring payment stablecoin issuers to implement anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance measures for secondary market transactions. The proposal sets new standards for combating illicit finance in stablecoin markets.
The UK's FCA launched a consultation on proposed crypto regulations covering stablecoins, trading platforms, custody, and staking, with rules set to take effect by October 2027. The regulator is seeking industry feedback on its interpretation of regulated cryptoasset activities under the upcoming framework.
The Trump administration backed a proposal for stablecoin issuers to offer yield to investors, drawing pushback from the American Bankers Association which disputes White House claims that stablecoin yield doesn't threaten bank deposits.
The ECB endorsed the EU's proposal to centralize cryptocurrency supervision under the Paris-based ESMA watchdog, warning that ESMA must receive adequate staffing and funding with a phased transition to avoid disruption.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong publicly supported passing the CLARITY Act after Treasury Secretary Bessent urged Congress to advance the crypto bill, reversing the company's earlier withdrawal of support over stablecoin reward provisions.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced five members for its innovation task force focused on crypto, AI, and prediction market rules as the agency expands regulatory work while the CLARITY Act awaits Senate action.
Japan's cabinet approved legislation that would classify crypto assets as financial products, banning insider trading, requiring annual disclosures, and imposing penalties up to 10 years in prison and 10 million yen in fines for operating without registration. The bill could take effect in fiscal 2027 if passed by parliament.
South Korea's ruling party drafted proposal to regulate stablecoins and real-world assets under existing financial laws, reportedly banning yield on stablecoins and requiring technical interoperability standards.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation approved a proposed rule establishing federal oversight standards for stablecoin issuers, including reserve requirements limiting 40% of reserves at a single custodian. The proposal explicitly excludes stablecoins from deposit insurance protections.
The SEC's proposed safe harbor framework for crypto fundraising and startup exemptions has moved to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review, with SEC Chair Paul Atkins indicating the proposal will be released 'shortly.'
Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott is expected to schedule a markup of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act in the final two weeks of April, with renewed optimism following revised stablecoin yield compromise language.
Cambodia's parliament passed the Law on Anti-Technology Fraud introducing five new offenses aimed at rooting out online and crypto scam operations, with penalties up to life in prison for those running scam compounds behind billions in crypto fraud.
Alabama Governor signed legislation on April 2, 2026, creating a legal framework for decentralized nonprofit associations (DUNAs), making Alabama the second US state after Wyoming to grant legal personality to DAO-like entities. The law provides liability protection for members and enables internet-native organizations to operate with legal recognition.
The US Department of the Treasury published an 87-page notice of proposed rulemaking seeking public comment on state-level regulatory regimes for stablecoins with market caps under $10 billion, marking the first formal implementation step of the GENIUS Act.
Australia has passed legislation mandating that digital asset platforms and tokenized custody platforms obtain an Australian Financial Services Licence within six months. The bill establishes a formal regulatory framework for crypto exchanges and custody services.
The Department of Labor proposed a rule following Trump's executive order that would enable Americans to invest in crypto and other alternative assets through 401(k) plans, potentially opening trillions in retirement funds to digital assets.
Stablecoin issuer Tether has hired Big Four accounting firm KPMG to conduct its first full independent audit of USDT reserves and brought in PwC to prepare internal systems, according to the Financial Times. The move comes as Tether pursues regulatory approval under the GENIUS Act and eyes a multibillion-dollar equity raise.
Senators and the White House have reached a tentative agreement to resolve the contentious stablecoin yield restrictions in the CLARITY Act, though the compromise has drawn mixed reactions from the crypto industry. Coinbase reportedly continues to oppose the updated draft language despite the agreement.
The UK government imposed an immediate moratorium on cryptocurrency donations to political parties following the Rycroft review, which warned that crypto's anonymity risks undermine democratic transparency and enable potential foreign interference. The ban aims to protect democracy from illicit finance.