What did the SEC say about crypto assets and securities laws?

The SEC said most crypto assets will not be classified as securities under US federal law. This marks a shift from a stricter interpretation seen in previous years. Only certain assets, like tokenised traditional securities, remain clearly under securities rules.

Why is this SEC decision important for crypto investors?

This clarification reduces regulatory uncertainty for many crypto assets and projects. It suggests fewer tokens will face securities-related enforcement. For investors, this could lower legal risk and support broader market participation.

Which crypto assets are still considered securities by the SEC?

According to the SEC, tokenised versions of traditional securities—such as tokenised stocks or bonds—remain subject to securities laws. Most other crypto assets may fall outside this category depending on their structure. Classification will still depend on how the asset is used and marketed.

What is the SEC’s new “token taxonomy”?

The SEC introduced categories like digital commodities, collectibles, tools, stablecoins, and digital securities. This framework helps define which regulator—SEC or CFTC—has oversight. It aims to make the crypto market easier to understand and regulate.

How does this affect staking, airdrops, and mining?

The SEC clarified how activities like staking, airdrops, protocol mining, and asset wrapping may be treated under securities laws. These activities are not automatically considered securities-related. However, their classification depends on specific conditions and structures.

What role does the CFTC play after this announcement?

The SEC indicated that many non-security crypto assets may fall under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This signals a clearer split between the two regulators. Future legislation is expected to formalise this division of oversight.

Does this mean crypto regulation in the US is now clear?

Not fully, as this is an interpretation rather than a final law. Congress is still working on market structure legislation that will define rules more clearly. This update is a step forward, but uncertainty remains.

How could this impact crypto prices in the short term?

This is generally positive for market sentiment because it reduces fear of widespread enforcement actions. It could support prices, especially for altcoins previously seen as regulatory risks. However, market reactions will depend on how the guidance is applied in practice.

Cryptocurrency

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SEC says most crypto assets not securities

Written by Mahathir BayenaPublished Mar 18, 2026, 12:00 AM

The US Securities and Exchange Commission said most crypto assets will not be classified as securities under federal law, marking a shift in regulatory interpretation.

The guidance aims to clarify how different token types are treated, including digital commodities, collectibles, tools, stablecoins and tokenised securities, while defining the SEC’s jurisdiction.

“This is what regulatory agencies are supposed to do: draw clear lines in clear terms,”

Said SEC Chair Paul Atkins.

The agency said the framework would act as a bridge as US lawmakers work on market structure legislation expected to formalise oversight between the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Under the interpretation, only tokenised versions of traditional securities would remain fully subject to securities laws, while other crypto assets may fall outside that scope depending on their structure.

The notice also clarified how activities such as airdrops, staking, protocol mining and asset wrapping may be treated under federal securities rules.

The development comes amid leadership changes at the SEC, with enforcement director Margaret Ryan stepping down and criticism emerging over the agency’s evolving regulatory stance.