SEC Releases 2026 Regulatory Agenda: Three New Crypto Rules Expected as Early as July, "Safe Harbor" Framework Imminent

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Tuesday updated its 2026 regulatory agenda, incorporating three crypto-related legislative proposals at once, marking a formal shift from "enforcement-led" to "rule-making" by the top regulator. The core proposal, "Regulation Crypto," could be published as early as this month, offering temporary registration exemptions, safe harbor protections, and access to up to $75 million in funding for crypto startups. The second proposal amends broker-dealer rules to accommodate crypto asset custody and trading. The third updates the exchange definition, providing a compliant trading path for tokenized securities. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins stated that the move aims to fulfill Trump's goal of "making America the world's cryptocurrency capital." The proposals are currently under review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). If the CLARITY Act fails to pass the Senate before August, the SEC's Regulation Crypto will become the sole core regulatory framework for the U.S. crypto market.