The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s latest document on its 2026 review priorities noticeably omits the usual section on cryptocurrencies, seemingly in line with U.S. President Donald Trump’s support for the industry.
On Monday, the SEC’s review division announced its review priorities for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, which did not specifically mention crypto assets or digital assets.
However, the SEC said its priorities are not “an exhaustive list of all areas the department will focus on next year.”
The U.S. cryptocurrency industry has boomed under President Trump, who has largely focused on deregulating the sector while his family expands into cryptocurrencies with trading platforms, mining operations, stablecoins, and tokens.
“Inspections are an important component of achieving the agency’s mission, but they should not be a ‘black-and-white’ exercise,” SEC Chairman Paul Atkins said in a statement.
Paul Atkins speaks at the SEC meeting in September. sauce: paul atkins
He added, “Today’s announcement of examination priorities should prepare companies to engage in constructive dialogue with SEC examiners and bring transparency to the SEC’s most public sector priorities.”
The Examination Division is responsible for examining the compliance of organizations, including investment advisers, broker-dealers, clearinghouses, and stock exchanges, with federal securities laws.
Related: CFTC’s cryptocurrency oversight over the SEC is “the right direction” — Jeff Park
Last year, under outgoing SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, the division announced it would focus on “offerings, sales, recommendations, advice, trading, and other activities involving cryptoassets,” specifying spot Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) exchange-traded funds as a priority.
“Given the volatility and activity involved in the crypto asset market, the bureau will continue to monitor and, if necessary, conduct examinations of registrants offering crypto asset-related services,” the bureau said last year.
The examination department also created a section dedicated to crypto assets and emerging financial technologies in 2023.
In its latest list of priorities, the SEC said it focuses on “core areas” such as fiduciary responsibility, custody, and protection of customer information.
The SEC said in its report that it would focus on “risks associated with the use of emerging technologies,” specifically mentioning artificial intelligence and automated investment tools.
The agency’s report also outlines in part that it will also pay “particular attention” to companies’ ability to respond to and recover from cyber incidents, “including those related to ransomware attacks.”
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