US SEC promotes simultaneous trading of cryptocurrencies and stocks... 'Countdown' to unlocking regulations

▲ Bitcoin (BTC), cryptocurrency regulation, US Congress/AI generated image

With the emergence of a new regulatory proposal from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that could open the door for cryptocurrencies and stocks to be traded together on regulated U.S. exchanges, the boundaries between digital assets and traditional finance are showing signs of rapidly blurring.

According to cryptocurrency media outlet Benzinga on July 8 (local time), the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) unveiled its 2026 regulatory plan and proposed amending exchange act rules to allow cryptocurrencies to be traded alongside traditional assets on regulated platforms. This includes Alternative Trading Systems (ATS) and U.S. stock exchanges. The SEC also plans to hold a meeting in July to discuss cryptocurrency regulations.

ATS are SEC-regulated electronic trading systems that connect buyers and sellers of securities, characterized by a lower level of regulation than general exchanges. The SEC stated that the new regulatory proposal is “necessary to clarify the regulatory framework for crypto assets and provide greater certainty to the market.” Separate rule changes that could include specific exemptions and safe harbors for the issuance and sale of cryptocurrencies were also included in the regulatory plan.

The SEC's move aligns with the policy direction to support U.S. President Donald Trump's goal of making the U.S. the "world's cryptocurrency capital." Paul Atkins, an SEC Commissioner, previously stated that the SEC had "deliberately moved" to support this goal. Project Crypto, a joint regulatory plan by the SEC and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to modernize digital asset regulation, is already underway.

Atkins also previously mentioned the possibility of introducing an "innovation exemption." The SEC is currently using this concept to develop a system that allows the trading of tokenized versions of popular Wall Street-listed stocks. This means that after the simultaneous trading of cryptocurrencies and traditional assets, plans are underway to bring tokenized stocks into the regulated market.

However, there has been pushback. Some Democrats argue that the SEC is undermining trust in the institution by dismissing cases related to cryptocurrency companies linked to President Trump and his family. Market attention is focused on changes in U.S. digital asset policy surrounding the SEC's new regulatory plan to promote simultaneous trading of cryptocurrencies and stocks on regulated exchanges.

[Key Article Summary]

-The SEC proposed amending exchange act rules to allow cryptocurrencies to be traded alongside traditional assets like stocks on regulated platforms.

-The SEC and CFTC have launched Project Crypto, and the SEC is also developing a trading system for tokenized Wall Street-listed stocks.

-Some Democrats criticized the SEC's policy moves, citing issues with its handling of cases involving cryptocurrency companies linked to President Trump and his family.

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