SEC, CFTC Plan MOU to Strengthen Crypto Regulatory Cooperation

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, primarily oversees securities markets, while the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, regulates commodities and derivatives. Crypto assets can straddle their jurisdictions, creating longstanding overlaps in definitions, registration and enforcement. Formal coordination between the agencies could reduce compliance uncertainty for firms and align investor and customer protection standards.

SEC Chair Paul Atkins and CFTC Chair Michael Selig formally signed a memorandum of understanding on March 11, 2026, launching a joint coordination initiative covering meetings, product applications, policymaking, examinations, enforcement and data sharing. The agreement includes no funding commitment or monetary amount. Either agency must provide 30 days’ written notice to terminate it.