SEC’s 10-City Roundtable Tour May Seek Input from Coinbase and Crypto Startups on Future Regulations

• SEC’s outreach targets early-stage crypto startups to ensure comprehensive regulatory input.

• The roundtables will run from August through December, emphasizing direct dialogue with developers and investors.

• SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce highlights the importance of broad stakeholder engagement in shaping crypto policy.

SEC launches 10-city crypto startup roundtables to shape future digital asset rules. Learn how this impacts emerging blockchain firms today.

SEC’s 10-City Roundtable Tour Focuses on Emerging Crypto Startups

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced a series of roundtable discussions across 10 cities targeting crypto startups less than two years old with 10 or fewer employees. This initiative aims to collect valuable feedback from industry stakeholders, developers, and investors to guide forthcoming digital asset regulations. The roundtables are scheduled between August and December 2024, reflecting the SEC’s commitment to inclusive and comprehensive outreach.

What Are the Objectives of the SEC’s Crypto Outreach Initiative?

The SEC’s Crypto Task Force seeks to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by early-stage crypto companies. Commissioner Hester Peirce emphasized that the regulatory framework will have significant effects on the industry, and the agency wants to ensure its approach is well-informed by direct input from startups. Previous roundtables have addressed topics such as custody, tokenization, and decentralized finance, with participation from major players like a16z Crypto and BlackRock, highlighting the SEC’s evolving stance.

The roundtables, scheduled to be held in 10 cities, will focus on crypto startups less than two years old and with 10 or fewer employees.

US SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce will hit the road this fall, leading a 10-city tour as part of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s new crypto outreach initiative. The regulator announced a roundtable series on Friday aimed at gathering feedback from industry stakeholders, developers and investors as the agency weighs future digital asset rules.

“The Crypto Task Force is acutely aware that any regulatory framework will have far-reaching effects, and we want to ensure that our outreach is as comprehensive as possible,” Peirce said in a statement.

The agency’s crypto task force is “particularly interested” in meeting with crypto startups less than two years old and with 10 or fewer employees. The roundtable discussions will take place between August and December.

Many of the 2025 roundtable discussions hosted by the SEC have featured input from crypto and traditional heavyweights like a16z Crypto and asset management companies BlackRock. In its previous roundtables, the crypto task force has discussed the regulation of crypto, custody, tokenization and decentralized finance.

Founded in 1934, the SEC oversees and enforces US securities laws. While the agency had an often antagonistic relationship with the crypto industry, its approach has shifted under the administration of President Donald Trump. Enforcement actions against high-profile firms such as Coinbase, Uniswap and Kraken have been dropped, and the agency is now signaling a willingness to engage in open dialogue with players.

It is unclear whether the SEC has conducted this type of outreach before or how much it will cost. The agency receives its budget through the congressional appropriations process. Cointelegraph reached out for comment but had not received a response at time of publication.

How Are Trump’s Crypto Policies Influencing SEC’s Regulatory Approach?

The SEC’s outreach aligns with recent momentum from the Trump administration to position the US as a global crypto hub. In July 2024, President Trump signed the GENIUS Act, regulating stablecoins and their issuers, a move welcomed by the crypto community. Additionally, the CLARITY Act, addressing crypto market structure, has passed the House and awaits Senate consideration, indicating growing legislative focus on digital assets.

What Other Government Agencies Are Supporting Crypto Industry Growth?

Following Trump’s lead, agencies like the Federal Reserve have reduced reputational risk categories that previously hindered crypto firms’ banking access. The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has also eased restrictions, allowing banks more flexibility in engaging with crypto businesses. These developments signal a broader governmental shift towards fostering a regulated yet innovation-friendly crypto environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of crypto startups is the SEC targeting for feedback?

The SEC is focusing on crypto startups that are less than two years old and have 10 or fewer employees to ensure regulations consider the needs of emerging companies.

Why is the SEC increasing engagement with the crypto industry now?

The SEC is seeking open dialogue to create balanced regulations that protect investors while supporting innovation, reflecting a shift from previous enforcement-heavy approaches.

Key Takeaways

• SEC’s outreach targets early-stage crypto startups: Ensures regulatory frameworks reflect startup realities.
• Roundtables scheduled across 10 cities: Running August to December 2024 for broad geographic input.
• Trump administration policies influence crypto regulation: Legislative acts and agency shifts support industry growth.

Conclusion

The SEC’s 10-city roundtable tour marks a significant step towards collaborative crypto regulation, focusing on startups to foster innovation while ensuring investor protection. This initiative, aligned with recent government policies, signals a more open and constructive regulatory environment for digital assets in the US.