SEC and CFTC to Hold Joint Crypto Policy Event on Jan. 27

• SEC and CFTC will jointly address long-standing crypto jurisdiction gaps.
• Chairs Atkins and Selig to discuss crypto regulatory alignment in a joint fireside chat.
• The event aligns with ongoing bipartisan crypto market structure legislation.

U.S. financial regulators are taking a united step toward clarifying digital asset oversight, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) set to host a joint public event on January 27.

The session, titled “SEC-CFTC Harmonization: U.S. Financial Leadership in the Crypto Era,” will focus on aligning regulatory approaches and addressing long-standing jurisdictional uncertainty in the crypto sector. The event will be held at the CFTC headquarters in Washington, D.C., from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Eastern Time and will be open to the public through livestreams on both agencies’ official websites.

Regulatory Coordination Takes Center Stage

According to the SEC, the harmonization event is intended to improve communication and coordination between the two agencies on digital asset oversight. Crypto markets have historically existed between the SEC’s securities framework and the CFTC’s commodities jurisdiction, creating uncertainty for exchanges, developers, and users regarding applicable regulatory requirements.

Both agencies stated that clearer and coordinated rules could help reduce ambiguity around regulatory responsibilities and compliance expectations for market participants.

Leadership and Agenda

SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins is scheduled to introduce the session, while CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig will deliver opening remarks. The two leaders will then participate in a moderated fireside chat led by journalist Eleanor Terrett. The discussion is expected to address regulatory alignment, cooperation mechanisms, and possible policy directions for digital asset oversight.

In a joint statement, Atkins and Selig said market participants have faced challenges due to “regulatory boundaries that are unclear in application and misaligned in design.” They added that harmonization efforts aim to support innovation under U.S. law while serving investors, consumers, and broader economic objectives.

Legislative Context and Policy Timing

The event coincides with ongoing congressional activity on digital asset legislation. The Senate Agriculture Committee recently released a revised version of a bipartisan bill on crypto market structure, designed to define the roles of the SEC and CFTC in overseeing digital assets. If enacted, the legislation could provide clearer regulatory frameworks for crypto-related products and services.

Market observers view the meeting as an indication of movement toward a more unified federal regulatory approach.

Related: SEC and CFTC Issue Vague Crypto Statement, But Lawyers Say Nothing Has Changed