The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have jointly issued a statement outlining opportunities for regulatory harmonization and announced an upcoming roundtable discussion. Scheduled for September 29, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., this event marks a significant collaborative effort between the two agencies.
SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins and CFTC Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham underscored the initiative, stating, "It is a new day at the SEC and the CFTC, and today we begin a long-awaited journey to provide markets the clarity they deserve." They further highlighted the potential for their combined efforts to transform the nation's unique regulatory structure into a robust advantage for market participants, investors, and all Americans.
This joint endeavor builds upon a recent staff statement concerning spot crypto asset products. Chairman Atkins and Acting Chairman Pham indicated that their respective agencies should explore, "to the extent possible and appropriate in the public interest under existing statutes," avenues for harmonizing product and venue definitions, streamlining reporting and data standards, aligning capital and margin frameworks, and establishing coordinated innovation exemptions utilizing each agency’s existing exemptive authority.
The forthcoming roundtable is designed as a crucial forum to delve into these regulatory harmonization priorities. It will take place at the SEC headquarters, located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. The event will be open to the public and broadcast live via webcast on the SEC’s website. Those wishing to attend in person are required to register and will be subject to security checks. A recording of the session will subsequently be made available on the SEC website, with the agenda and participant list to be posted later on the SEC event webpage.
Emphasizing the broader impact, Chairman Atkins and Acting Chairman Pham described the roundtable as "a pivotal step toward building more coherent and competitive U.S. markets." They concluded by affirming that through aligning their regulatory frameworks, the SEC and CFTC aim to reduce unnecessary barriers, enhance market efficiency, and foster an environment where innovation can flourish, ultimately ensuring America's continued global leadership in capital markets.