SEC hosts first-ever crypto roundtable to discuss digital asset regulations
SEC hosts first public crypto roundtable
In a historic first, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) held a public roundtable on cryptocurrency regulation on Friday, signaling a shift from enforcement toward engagement under the Trump administration.
The meeting brought together key industry players, including a16z’s Miles Jennings, former SEC official John Reed Stark, and former commissioner Troy Paredes, alongside current regulators such as Republican commissioner Hester Peirce and Democratic commissioner Caroline Crenshaw, reports Cryptopolitan.
Peirce opened the event with a symbolic statement: “Spring signifies new beginnings and we have a new beginning here, a restart of the commission’s approach to crypto regulation.” Her remarks reflect a broader effort by the SEC to reassess its stance on digital assets, especially after years of lawsuits and ambiguity over what constitutes a security.
Trump’s administration reverses course on crypto enforcement
The roundtable follows a series of aggressive policy shifts by President Trump, who has pledged to dismantle the so-called “Biden crypto crackdown.” His administration has already paused or withdrawn several SEC lawsuits against firms like Coinbase and Kraken. Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order establishing a strategic crypto reserve and hosted a White House summit with leading crypto executives, further signaling his administration’s intent to back the industry.
Still, the roundtable highlighted sharp divides on regulatory direction. Jennings urged the SEC to stop applying legacy securities laws to crypto, arguing for a technology-neutral framework. He compared Ethereum to Apple and emphasized that digital assets deserve bespoke treatment. Crenshaw, however, cautioned against weakening standards, saying that carving out exceptions for crypto could destabilize broader financial markets.
Stark defends status quo as Ripple lawsuit is dropped
John Reed Stark, former head of the SEC’s internet enforcement division, opposed any legal reforms. He insisted that existing laws are sufficient and that crypto buyers are investors, not collectors. He criticized firms for delaying tactics and said they routinely lose in court.
The roundtable coincided with the SEC’s dismissal of its high-profile lawsuit against Ripple, a move that briefly lifted XRP’s price before it settled back. The discussion marked a pivotal moment in Washington’s evolving approach to crypto — and what may be the beginning of more cooperative regulatory policymaking.
In addition, the Trump administration plans to rebrand USAID and introduce blockchain oversight.
