The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has postponed the rollout of its long-awaited “Regulation Crypto” proposal after canceling a scheduled Friday meeting.
The SEC had been expected to take a major step toward formalizing its first broad crypto-specific rulemaking. However, the agency announced late Thursday that the meeting had been called off.
An SEC spokesperson said an “unforeseen scheduling issue” prompted the cancellation and that the meeting would be moved to a later date. No replacement date has been announced.
The delay arrives as the Senate continues to struggle with the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which is intended to establish a clearer regulatory framework for the U.S. crypto industry. With the legislation stalled, market participants had been increasingly looking to the SEC to provide a path forward.
The proposed Reg Crypto framework is expected to create a tailored system for certain investment contracts involving digital assets. It could allow eligible crypto projects to raise funds under a more limited regulatory regime and potentially transition away from SEC oversight once they meet specified conditions.
The latest setback leaves the industry waiting to see whether Congress or the SEC will be the first to deliver meaningful regulatory clarity.
Reg Crypto Is Central to SEC’s Digital Asset Agenda
SEC Chairman Paul Atkins has previously described the initiative as a “tailored offering regime for certain investment contracts” and positioned it as a key element of his broader crypto regulatory strategy.
The agency has so far relied largely on policy statements and other forms of guidance to explain how existing securities rules apply to digital assets. A formal rulemaking would provide a more durable framework and would require the SEC to publish a proposal and solicit public comments.
The SEC is also expected to delay another closely watched initiative, known as the “innovation exemption,” which could make it easier to issue and trade tokenized securities.
Clarity Act Still Faces Senate Hurdles
Meanwhile, industry hopes remain tied to the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which lawmakers could revisit when the Senate returns next month.
The legislation still faces uncertainty, however, as negotiations between Congress and the White House have yet to produce enough agreement. The bill would need 60 votes to clear the Senate.
With both the SEC’s Reg Crypto proposal and congressional legislation facing delays, the U.S. digital asset sector will have to wait longer for a clearer regulatory framework.
