SEC Crypto Task Force Met with Key Industry Leaders to Discuss Staking and Trading Regulations
Meetings signal a potential shift in U.S. crypto policy under new leadership
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Crypto Task Force recently met with key industry players to discuss staking, exchange-traded products (ETPs), and broader regulatory changes for digital assets. These meetings, held in early February, suggest a possible shift in the SEC’s stance on crypto regulations, particularly under the leadership of pro-crypto Commissioner Hester Peirce.
Documents from the SEC reveal that the Crypto Task Force engaged with the Blockchain Association on Feb. 4, where the lobbying group outlined six key priorities. These included clearer regulatory guidelines, a pro-innovation stance for broker-dealers and exchanges, and ensuring that staking isn’t classified as a security. The group also urged the SEC to correct what they called "erroneous interpretations of law" from the previous administration.
On Feb. 5, Jito Labs and Multicoin Capital representatives met with the task force to push for integrating staking into crypto ETPs. Their discussions centered on the SEC’s previous restrictions on staking rewards in spot Ether ETFs, arguing that the regulator may now be reconsidering its stance.
The same day, Andreessen Horowitz’s AH Capital Management participated in discussions on token classifications and market intermediaries. Meanwhile, Nasdaq representatives met with the SEC on Feb. 6, calling for clear rules on trading venues for digital assets. They emphasized that securities and non-securities digital assets should be tradable on the same platforms under a consistent regulatory framework.
The final meeting on Feb. 7 included representatives from the bankruptcy law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, discussing securities laws related to blockchain technology.
These discussions come amid rising expectations of a major regulatory overhaul in the U.S. crypto sector. With the election of Donald Trump, Commissioner Peirce has promised to undo what she called the regulatory “mess” left by former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who spearheaded over 125 enforcement actions against the industry.
Adding to the momentum, the House Subcommittee on Digital Assets convened on Feb. 11, with industry leaders calling for clearer regulatory frameworks. Kraken’s deputy general counsel, Jonathan Jachym, emphasized the need for fundamental rules for centralized intermediaries, while Crypto Council for Innovation President Ji Hun Kim criticized the previous administration’s enforcement-heavy approach.
As Washington revisits crypto regulations, the SEC’s shifting stance on staking and trading venues could set the stage for significant policy changes in the months ahead.
