Spot trading for cryptocurrencies will commence on exchanges overseen by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The CFTC’s Thursday announcement establishes a precedent, bringing direct digital asset trading under a formal US regulatory umbrella for the first time.
This development, anticipated since summer, advances the administration’s objective of merging digital assets with traditional finance. Regulated spot markets are likely to enhance credibility and attract a wider spectrum of market participants.
“Recent turmoil on foreign exchanges has highlighted the necessity for Americans to have increased choice and access to safe, regulated US markets,” remarked CFTC Acting Chairman Caroline Pham.
The agency also began soliciting public feedback in September on the potential role of tokenized collateral, including stablecoins, within derivatives markets. The industry has seen legislative momentum this year with bills designed to provide clearer, bespoke regulations, a goal long championed by crypto advocates.
The current regulatory trajectory diverges from the previous administration’s efforts, which heavily emphasized enforcement actions to mitigate risks like fraud and money laundering within the sector.
