The SEC and CFTC convene a historic roundtable: This will change for the crypto market on September 29.

The SEC and CFTC have convened a roundtable to harmonize crypto regulation, drive innovation, and make markets more efficient in the United States.

El next Monday September 29 A joint roundtable will be held between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), two of the main financial regulatory bodies in the United States. 

This event will mark an important step in the coordination between both entities with the aim of Establish a more coherent regulatory framework for digital assets and cryptocurrency-linked derivativesAccording to the SEC's statement, this meeting is part of a broader effort focused on driving financial innovation in the country, making it easier for companies and developers to operate with crypto assets under clear and coordinated rules.

Both agencies have issued a joint statement highlighting the importance of overcoming the regulatory fragmentation that has characterized the crypto markets in the United States and laying out a commitment to leverage existing legal powers to create a more favorable environment for the development of innovative products. The September 29 roundtable represents a forum in which key areas such as the 24-hour crypto market extension, regulation of perpetual contracts, coordination in the margin and capital requirements, And the Exemptions to promote the decentralized finance or DeFi ecosystem.

Regulators seek a 24-hour open and secure crypto market

Among the priorities that the SEC and CFTC will address is the possibility of Expand the operating hours of regulated crypto markets to align them with the global and continuous nature of these blockchain-based digital assets. Markets such as foreign exchange and gold already operate in a 24/7 format, and the extension of this modality to cryptocurrency products and platforms This could improve liquidity and trading availability for investors and users. Analyzing how to implement this expansion in a way that ensures participant protection and efficient operation will be a central focus of the discussion.

In addition, the meeting will examine how jointly regulate derivative contracts, especially so-called perpetual contracts, which are currently very popular on international platforms outside the United States. These contracts have no expiration date and offer traders leverage, but until now their use has been limited within the country due to regulatory issues. Coordination between the SEC and CFTC aims to facilitate the local trading of these types of products on regulated platforms, ensuring clear leverage limits and robust risk management mechanisms. This measure seeks to prevent the leakage of relevant activity to foreign platforms and open up new opportunities for US users.

On the other hand, the table will provide space for assess the regulation of event-based contracts or predictive markets, sectors that have gained traction and require a regulatory approach that facilitates their responsible development within the national market, establishing clear rules on jurisdiction and accessibility for participants from the United States.

A boost to innovation in the DeFi ecosystem

One challenge both agencies have identified is the lack of harmonization in margin and capital standards when it comes to transactions that cross products regulated by both the SEC and the CFTC. Currently, market participants holding positions in products under both jurisdictions face the obligation to post separate collateral, even when those positions offset each other economically. This creates financial inefficiencies and increases costs for all involved. 

Therefore, unify the portfolio margin This would allow for optimized use of capital, reducing barriers for institutional and retail operators seeking strategies that encompass different asset classes. 

The roundtable will explore viable mechanisms that allow clearing houses to offer consolidated margining without compromising market solvency or integrity.

Within the context of innovation, the SEC and CFTC also reathey signed its willingness to consider “innovation exemptions” designed to create regulatory frameworks that allow the development and operation of decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. These protocols facilitate the trading of cryptocurrencies in a peer-to-peer without traditional intermediaries, and agencies are promoting the creation of “safe harbors” so that spot, leveraged, or margin trading activities, including blockchain derivatives, can be carried out with regulatory support. 

Federal agencies also recognize the importance of users being able to maintain the direct custody of your assets, a fundamental value in cryptocurrency culture.

Overall, the goal of this new roundtable is to support the rapid evolution of decentralized crypto technologies, enabling entrepreneurs and investors in the United States to drive viable business models while advancing medium- and long-term regulatory developments.

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Towards a competitive and clear US crypto market

The collaboration between the SEC and the CFTC reflects a mutual recognition that fragmented regulation not only hinders innovation but can also drive financial activity toward jurisdictions with more integrated regulatory frameworks. Therefore, working together to harmonize definitions, reporting standards, and operational rules will create an ecosystem where legal certainty and trust are the foundation for attracting investment and new projects.

Likewise, coordination in the areas of capital, margin, and monitoring strengthens market resilience, promotes international competitiveness, and facilitates participation by both large institutions and individual investors. The approach adopted is to build a reliable "playbook" for innovators and operators, preventing regulatory compliance from becoming an obstacle and instead serving as a clear and predictable enabler.

According to the SEC, These measures are aligned with the objectives of the Presidential Task Force on Digital Assets report, which emphasizes the need to strengthen U.S. leadership in digital financial technologies.

La round table of September 29 represents a tangible step towards a modern regulatory framework that responds to the dynamics of today's crypto market. It is a open invitation to the industry to engage in dialogue, contribute ideas, and collaborate in building an enabling environment that will allow the United States to consolidate its position as the global epicenter of financial innovation.

Ultimately, the convergence and cooperation between the SEC and the CFTC herald a phase of regulatory adjustments aimed at facilitating the development of digital assets, cryptocurrency derivatives, and decentralized platforms within a coherent regulatory framework compatible with international standards. The goal is clear: to generate an ecosystem where innovation and market protection go hand in hand, helping the U.S. market remain a benchmark in the adoption and regulation of blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies.