Catenaa, Sunday, September 28, 2025- The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is preparing to roll out an “innovation exemption” by the end of this year to fast-track crypto products, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins said Tuesday.
Speaking on Fox Business, Atkins confirmed the regulator is advancing rulemaking designed to ease the path for on-chain products and services.
He said the exemption would allow firms to quickly bring offerings to market as part of a wider effort to modernize oversight of digital assets.
Since taking office in April, Atkins has sought to reshape the SEC’s approach to crypto. He launched “Project Crypto” earlier this year to adapt existing rules, and in June directed staff to draft the innovation exemption framework.
The move comes as Congress weighs sweeping legislation to govern the industry. Lawmakers have already passed a stablecoin bill and are now working to merge separate House and Senate proposals on a broader crypto market structure measure. White House adviser Patrick Witt said Tuesday he expects a final version to clear Congress before year’s end.
Atkins said he is hopeful lawmakers act soon but emphasized that the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are already coordinating closely. He added that “harmonization” with the CFTC, rather than merger, is the goal as both agencies prepare for a joint roundtable on innovative financial products next week.
