The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have issued a joint staff statement confirming that U.S. law does not bar regulated exchanges from offering spot crypto trading, including products with margin or leverage.
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The clarification, released on September 2, 2025, addresses a long-standing gray area in the digital asset market. It means that major platforms such as Nasdaq, NYSE, CME, and Cboe now have a clear pathway to launch spot crypto offerings within their existing oversight frameworks.
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Who’s Covered?
The guidance specifies that national securities exchanges (NSEs), designated contract markets (DCMs), and foreign boards of trade (FBOTs) are all permitted to facilitate spot crypto trading. Regulators also encouraged market participants to engage directly with SEC and CFTC staff to ensure compliance with rules around custody, clearing, settlement, and reporting.
Why It Matters
For years, uncertainty over how regulators viewed spot crypto activity slowed institutional adoption. This joint statement removes much of that doubt, marking a pivotal moment for the U.S. crypto market.
- Institutional access: Regulated venues can now step confidently into spot crypto.
- Regulatory clarity: Market participants gain assurance that they are operating within the law.
- Market growth: Opens the door for deeper liquidity, mainstream trading, and product innovation.
Context
The move comes alongside broader initiatives:
- The SEC’s Project Crypto, aimed at modernizing oversight of digital assets.
- The CFTC’s Crypto Sprint, which focuses on building transparency and market safeguards.
- Legislative pushes such as the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act, designed to divide responsibilities between agencies and standardize oversight.
While the joint statement does not establish new law, it signals coordination at the federal level and reflects a policy shift toward integrating crypto into the mainstream financial system.
What’s Next
Exchanges interested in listing spot crypto products will now need to submit filings and proposals covering custody, leverage, risk management, and surveillance standards. Regulators have opened the door but expect exchanges to build frameworks that ensure market integrity and investor protection.
Bottom Line
The SEC and CFTC’s joint statement marks the clearest sign yet that the U.S. is moving past regulatory limbo and toward structured adoption of spot crypto markets. With this green light, institutional participation is poised to accelerate, reshaping the digital asset landscape.
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