Atkins from the SEC and Selig from the CFTC Collaborate to Resolve Crypto Regulation Confusion

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and CFTC Chairman Michael Selig are set to host a joint event on January 27 to talk about regulatory harmonization and initiatives aimed at establishing the United States as the global hub for cryptocurrency.

The two regulatory leaders released a joint statement indicating that the event will occur at the CFTC headquarters from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET, signifying another advancement in their collaborative efforts.

“For an extended period, market participants have been compelled to navigate regulatory boundaries that lack clarity in application and are misaligned in structure, based solely on outdated jurisdictional divisions,” the chairmen commented in their statement.

“This event will build upon our wider harmonization initiatives to ensure that innovation flourishes on American soil, under American law, and in the service of American investors, consumers, and economic leadership.”

I’m eager to join @ChairmanSelig next week at our @SECgov and @CFTC joint event to discuss the harmonization between our two agencies.
Together, we will explore our efforts to fulfill President Trump’s commitment to make the US the leading crypto capital globally.
Join us! https://t.co/qgJwmiHYus

— Paul Atkins (@SECPaulSAtkins) January 22, 2026

Regulators Build on September’s Historic Turf War Resolution

The forthcoming event keeps the momentum from a roundtable held on September 29, where both agencies officially declared an end to their jurisdictional disputes.

CFTC Commissioner Caroline Pham informed participants at that meeting that “the turf war has concluded,” while Atkins referred to it as “a pivotal moment for American financial markets.”

This roundtable gathered leaders from major platforms, including Kraken, Polymarket, Kalshi, Nasdaq, CME Group, and Robinhood, to deliberate on coordinated oversight of digital assets.

Atkins stressed at that moment that “for many years, the SEC and CFTC have operated in silos, sometimes in opposition,” but that phase has now passed.

The event on January 27 will feature introductory comments from both chairmen, followed by a fireside chat led by Eleanor Terrett, co-founder of Crypto in America.

Doors will open at 9:30 a.m., and the session will be streamed live on the SEC’s website.

Agencies Accelerate Crypto Policy After Leadership Changes

Both regulatory bodies have aggressively pursued digital asset policy since new leadership took charge in 2025.

Atkins became the SEC chairman in April following Gary Gensler’s exit, promptly shifting focus from enforcement-based regulation to clearer frameworks and guidance.

As noted by Cryptonews today, under Atkins, the SEC initiated just 13 crypto-related enforcement actions in 2025, compared to 33 in 2024, representing a 60% decrease and the lowest figure since 2017, according to Cornerstone Research.

Eight of those actions involved allegations of fraud, indicating a more focused approach on investor protection rather than broad registration theories.

The agency also dropped seven ongoing cases and reduced total monetary penalties to $142 million, which is less than 3% of 2024 levels.

The SEC initiated only 13 crypto enforcement cases in 2025, down 60% from 2024, with most new actions under Chair Paul Atkins concentrated on fraud.#SEC #CryptoEnforcement https://t.co/YI5S1uVisH

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 23, 2026

Selig took over as CFTC chairman on December 22 following Senate confirmation, succeeding acting chair Caroline Pham.

He swiftly launched the Future-Proof initiative, a comprehensive review aimed at modernizing decades-old regulations concerning blockchain, AI-driven trading, and prediction markets.

“We are at a distinctive moment as a diverse array of innovative technologies, products, and platforms emerge,” Selig stated after his swearing-in.

“Under my guidance, the CFTC will navigate these significant frontiers and ensure that the innovations of tomorrow are Made in America.”

Joint Efforts Face Congressional Pressure on Market Structure Bills

The harmonization initiative arrives as Congress pushes forward with competing digital asset legislation.

The Senate Agriculture Committee has released updated language for its Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act and has scheduled a markup on January 27 at 3 p.m., just hours after the Atkins-Selig event concludes.

Chairman John Boozman acknowledged that “differences persist on fundamental policy issues” with Democrats, who failed to support the bill despite prolonged negotiations.

The markup may proceed along party lines, unlike the House Agriculture Committee’s bipartisan 47-6 vote on similar legislation.

According to Eleanor Terrett, Senator Cory Booker’s team informed Politico that he will continue collaborating with Boozman to push the legislation through, although no Democrats have publicly backed the text.

NEW: Where do we stand on crypto market structure legislation right now? The @SenateAg Committee released its latest legislative text last night, with Chairman @JohnBoozman (R-AR) acknowledging that Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a deal despite an extra two weeks of…

— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) January 22, 2026

Meanwhile, the Senate Banking Committee postponed its markup of the CLARITY Act until late February or March to concentrate on housing legislation.

Disagreements within the industry regarding stablecoin yield provisions have complicated negotiations, with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong labeling certain restrictions as “catastrophic” before retracting support.

However, President Trump confirmed at Davos 2026 that he anticipates signing crypto market structure legislation “very soon,” asserting that his administration is working to ensure “America remains the crypto capital of the world.”

For now, the collaborative regulatory event suggests that both agencies are preparing to implement whatever framework Congress ultimately provides.

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