By Chris Hollingworth 
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced plans to host a series of four crypto roundtables focusing on various aspects of the cryptocurrency market. These roundtables are organized by the SEC’s Crypto Task Force and aim to facilitate discussions on topics such as crypto trading, custody, tokenization, and decentralized finance (DeFi).
The first roundtable, scheduled for April 11, will center around tailoring regulation for crypto trading. This will be followed by a discussion on crypto custody on April 25, a session on tokenization and moving assets onchain on May 12, and a final roundtable on DeFi on June 6.
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, who leads the Crypto Task Force, expressed the importance of these roundtables as an opportunity to engage with experts in the field and address regulatory issues within the crypto space. While the specific agenda and speakers for each roundtable have yet to be disclosed, they will be open for the public to watch online or attend in person at the SEC’s headquarters in Washington, DC.
The establishment of the SEC’s Crypto Task Force in January under acting SEC Chair Mark Uyeda signals a shift in the agency’s approach to crypto regulation. The task force is charged with developing a framework for regulating cryptocurrencies effectively.
In addition to the crypto roundtables, the SEC will also be hosting a discussion on artificial intelligence’s role in the financial industry on March 27. This event will explore the risks, benefits, and governance of AI in finance and feature speakers including Uyeda, Peirce, and SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw.
Under the leadership of Uyeda, the SEC has shown a willingness to reconsider certain regulatory measures proposed under previous administrations. This includes plans to scrap rules aimed at tightening crypto custody standards for investment advisers and reevaluating regulations that would impact crypto firms operating as alternative trading systems.
Overall, the SEC’s engagement with the crypto and financial technology sectors reflects a changing regulatory landscape that will shape the future of digital assets and innovation in the financial markets.
