Paul Atkins-led SEC Proposes Rules to Let Crypto Trade Alongside Stocks on Exchanges

The SEC released on Tuesday its regulatory agenda for 2026, which includes a planned meeting on cryptocurrency regulation later this month.

SEC Lists New Crypto-Related Proposals The agency has proposed amendments to Exchange Act Rules that would allow cryptocurrencies to be traded alongside traditional assets on regulated platforms, such as Alternative Trading Systems and national securities exchanges.

ATS platforms are SEC-regulated electronic trading systems that match orders for buyers and sellers of securities and are typically not as highly regulated as exchanges.

The SEC said that the proposal is “necessary to help clarify the regulatory framework for crypto assets and provide greater certainty to the market.” The regulator scheduled a meeting to discuss this for sometime in July.

Another proposed rule change relating to the offer and sale of cryptocurrencies, potentially to “include certain exemptions and safe harbors,” has also been listed.

Read Also: Elizabeth Warren Says Legislation That Doesn't Stop Trump and Family's Crypto Profiteering Is 'Failing' the American People SEC Becomes Pro-Crypto The regulatory agenda comes after SEC Chair Paul Atkins said the agency has "moved purposely" to support President Donald Trump’s goal to make the U.S. the "Crypto Capital of the World." Notably, Project Crypto —a joint regulatory initiative led by the SEC and the CFTC to modernize digital asset regulation—has been set into motion.

Earlier this year, the SEC issued an interpretation clarifying that "most cryptocurrency assets," including non-fungible tokens and dollar-backed stablecoins, aren’t securities.

The new guidance differed sharply from the Gary Gensler- led SEC, which viewed cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) as securities.

Atkins had also hinted at an "innovation exemption," which the SEC is now using to develop a framework for trading tokenized versions of popular Wall Street-listed stocks.

The Criticism A section of Democrats, however, alleged the agency is undermining trust by dismissing cases against cryptocurrency firms tied to President Donald Trump and his family.

The SEC dropped its lawsuit against cryptocurrency exchange Binance (CRYPTO: BNB ), which maintained significant business ties with USD1, a stablecoin launched by World Liberty Financial, a venture linked to the Trump family.

Read Also: Investors Want Quarterly Earnings to Stay as SEC Weighs Reporting Shake-Up: Report Photo Courtesy: Tada Images on Shutterstock.com