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The SEC has updated its 2026 regulatory agenda and plans to release a crypto rule proposal for public comment this month. We break down what’s known as of July 8.
A “safe harbor” regime would provide temporary exemptions from registration requirements for developers bringing products to market, along with protections for issuers winding down management functions to achieve decentralization.
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SEC Chair Paul Atkins tied the moves to President Trump’s goal of making the US the “crypto capital of the world.” The proposal, known as Regulation Crypto, could be the first major crypto rule under Atkins’ leadership.
- What the SEC Is Proposing: Temporary Exemptions and Safe Harbor for Startups
- Ties to Trump’s Policy and Departure From Gensler’s Approach
What the SEC Is Proposing: Temporary Exemptions and Safe Harbor for Startups
The Regulation Crypto concept includes temporary exemptions from standard registration procedures for developers just launching products. Startups would be able to raise capital without the risk of being sued for offering unregistered securities. A safe harbor would also apply to issuers transitioning to decentralized governance.
Atkins first outlined the reform parameters in March, and this week the agency formalized the project on its priority schedule. In March, Atkins specified that the safe harbor could apply to:
- Startups valued at up to $5M experimenting with crypto assets in their first four years
- Entrepreneurs raising up to $75M through investment contracts tied to crypto assets
- Certain crypto assets whose creators have ceased all material management efforts
Beyond crypto, the SEC’s plan includes tokenized securities regulation. Atkins confirmed crypto is a key priority for the agency. The SEC has also opened a comment request to review US spot crypto ETF approval procedures and introduce a confidential filing process for initial applications.
Earlier, SEC Division of Investment Management Director Brian Daly acknowledged the agency mishandled the simultaneous launch of spot crypto funds, violating the principle that being first to market should capture the lion’s share of assets.
Ties to Trump’s Policy and Departure From Gensler’s Approach
Atkins stressed the importance of aligning the regulatory framework with today’s realities. He said the agency is betting on innovation and bringing crypto products back into US jurisdiction.
“To fulfill President Trump’s goal of making the US the global hub for crypto, we support innovation, create clear rules for capital raising using digital assets, and provide clarity on custody and trading of tokenized securities,” Atkins said.
The approach represents a significant shift from the former Gensler era, when the agency relied on “regulation by enforcement.” Many of those lawsuits against crypto companies–including Binance, Coinbase, Ripple, and Kraken–have since been dropped. Still, Democrats in Congress have criticized the Trump administration for a “pay-for-access” scheme, pointing to the president’s and his family’s financial gains from companies previously under investigation.
Learn more:Top July 2026 Crypto Updates: Crypto Market at a Breaking Point — Is Another Crash Coming?
Source: bitcoinfoundation.org