SEC Crypto Task Force May Propose Policy Changes After October Roundtable on Financial Surveillance and Privacy

• Public roundtable on Oct. 17, 2025 focused on financial surveillance and privacy

• The SEC task force is evaluating privacy-protecting tools to guide regulatory policy for digital assets.

• Recent rule proposals include exemptions, safe harbors for token offers, and broker-dealer financial responsibility adjustments.

SEC crypto task force roundtable: key updates on financial surveillance, privacy, and potential rule changes — read the summary and next steps from COINOTAG.

The task force has already conducted roundtables to address issues related to digital asset regulation while proposing changes to the commission’s rules.

Publication date: 2025-10-01 | Updated: 2025-10-06

What is the SEC crypto task force roundtable?

The SEC crypto task force roundtable is a public forum convened by the Securities and Exchange Commission to collect stakeholder input on financial surveillance, privacy-protecting tools, and digital asset policy. The Oct. 17 meeting will be the sixth commission roundtable on digital assets since early 2024.

How will the Oct. 17 roundtable affect crypto regulation?

The roundtable will inform potential SEC rule changes by assessing privacy technologies and surveillance practices. Findings may shape exemptions and safe harbors related to the offer and sale of crypto assets and adjustments to broker-dealer financial responsibility rules.

The cryptocurrency task force with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is planning to hold another roundtable that could lead to policy changes at the financial regulator.

In a Monday notice, the SEC said the crypto task force, headed by Commissioner Hester Peirce, would host a public roundtable on financial surveillance and privacy on Oct. 17. The event will mark the sixth roundtable focused on issues related to digital assets at the commission’s Washington, D.C., offices since the departure of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler.

“Understanding recent developments in privacy-protecting tools will assist the SEC and other financial regulators as we work on policy solutions in the crypto space,” said Commissioner Hester Peirce.

Why are privacy tools and surveillance central to the discussion?

Privacy-protecting tools affect market transparency and investor protections. Regulators must weigh privacy gains against the need for financial surveillance to detect fraud and market manipulation. The roundtable will gather technical, legal, and market perspectives to balance these priorities.

The crypto-focused roundtable events, which include a series of 10 meetings across the US starting in August and running through December, come as the SEC is considering proposed rule changes that could significantly impact market participants.

On Thursday, the commission proposed “certain exemptions and safe harbors” related to the offer and sale of crypto assets and modifying “broker-dealer financial responsibility rules,” lessening the burden on US-operating crypto companies.

Related plain text mention: Nasdaq asks SEC for rule change to trade tokenized stocks

When are regulators coordinating on broader market structure?

Since January, the SEC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have shown signs of aligning approaches to crypto oversight by reducing enforcement intensity in several investigations and lawsuits. Both agencies are exploring regulatory frameworks for continuous market operations and coordinated oversight.

The CFTC leadership currently includes Acting Chair Caroline Pham, who stated the agency will follow executive branch guidance on crypto policy. In the last seven days, both agencies announced workstreams on potential 24/7 capital markets and rules for crypto derivatives, along with efforts to enable spot crypto trading oversight.

The President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets issued recommendations in July that support coordinated regulation. Separately, the US Senate’s version of a digital asset market structure bill, the Responsible Financial Innovation Act, is being advanced by Senator Cynthia Lummis and could move through Congress before 2026.

What policy changes are under active consideration?

Key proposals under SEC consideration include:

• Exemptions and safe harbors for certain token offers to clarify compliance paths.
• Broker-dealer financial responsibility rule modifications to reduce operational burdens for crypto firms.
• Coordination with the CFTC on spot trading and derivatives oversight to create consistent market rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the roundtable change current enforcement practices?

The roundtable may influence future enforcement priorities by clarifying regulatory expectations, but it does not directly alter enforcement actions. Any formal changes require rulemaking or legislative action.

How can industry participants contribute to the discussion?

Stakeholders can provide public comments and participate in roundtable sessions when invited, offering technical, legal, and market data to inform regulatory outcomes.

Key Takeaways

• Roundtable focus: Financial surveillance and privacy will be central to the Oct. 17 meeting.
• Regulatory impact: Outcomes could inform exemptions, safe harbors, and broker-dealer rule adjustments.
• Coordination: SEC and CFTC coordination and legislative proposals like the Responsible Financial Innovation Act may shape final policy.

Conclusion

The SEC crypto task force roundtable on Oct. 17 will bring industry and regulators together to evaluate privacy-protecting tools and surveillance methods. COINOTAG will monitor developments as the SEC, CFTC, and Congress consider coordinated frameworks that may redefine digital asset regulation and market structure.