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ARTICLE · 25 MARCH 2026

SEC Releases Commission Interpretation On Application Of Securities Laws To Digital Assets

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On March 17, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) issued interpretive guidance addressing how existing federal securities laws apply to certain...

United StatesTechnology
Nathan Schuur
Nathan Schuur
Robert H. Sutton
Robert H. Sutton
Tazia Statucki
Tazia Statucki
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On March 17, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") issued interpretive guidance addressing how existing federal securities laws apply to certain types of crypto assets and certain transactions involving crypto assets (the "Interpretation"). The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC") joined the guidance and confirmed its staff would administer the Commodity Exchange Act consistently with the Interpretation. Subsequent statements by SEC leadership and staff, including at the annual "SEC Speaks" event March 19-20, indicate they expect the Interpretation to be the beginning, not the end, in the agency's transformation of its approach to the industry and that further action is yet to come, but it nonetheless provides welcome clarity on how the SEC interprets the securities laws as they apply to digital assets.

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