SEC Announces Liberal Crypto Regulation – OCC Calls for Equal Treatment of Banks and Crypto Companies

US crypto regulation is facing fundamental change. SEC Chair Paul Atkins has announced far-reaching reform plans, while banking regulator OCC is demanding equal status for financial institutions and crypto companies.

SEC Plans Regulatory Package for January

At the Blockchain Association Policy Summit in Washington, SEC Chief Paul Atkins outlined concrete measures for the start of the year. "You haven't seen anything yet," he told US media outlets, announcing a series of regulatory steps aimed at simplifying access to the US market for digital assets ^[1].

By late January, a proposal for an "Innovation Exemption" is set to be published ^[1]. This time-limited regulatory framework is intended to allow crypto and fintech projects lower compliance barriers and accelerate innovation.

Token Taxonomy and Project Crypto

The planned measures are part of a comprehensive agenda to restructure how the SEC classifies digital assets. The agency is simultaneously working on a "Token Taxonomy" that should define clear criteria for when a digital asset is to be classified as a security ^[1].

Additionally, "Project Crypto" is underway internally—a reform package designed to modernize existing SEC rules for digital markets ^[1]. Atkins is considered a crypto market supporter and thus signals a clear shift in the agency's direction.

OCC Calls for Equal Treatment

Parallel to SEC developments, Jonathan Gould, head of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), has made a remarkable statement. Gould stated that banks and crypto companies should be treated equally ^[2]. This statement has garnered considerable attention within the crypto community.

The OCC stands at the forefront of crypto regulation in the United States ^[2]. Equal treatment could lead to increased adoption and integration of cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial world. At the same time, it raises questions about potential risks and challenges associated with crypto asset volatility and security ^[2].

Market Reaction and Fed Decision

The positive regulatory signals come during a period of elevated market volatility. Bitcoin recently traded around $94,000, with analysts warning of potential fluctuations in connection with the upcoming interest rate decision by the US Federal Reserve ^[2].

CME futures markets show an 88.6 percent probability of a rate cut of 0.25 percentage points ^[2]. "Bitcoin is likely rising due to expectations of a rate cut, but it's currently difficult to say what will happen after tomorrow's Fed meeting," explained Jeff Mei, Chief Operations Officer of the BTSE exchange ^[2].

Outlook

The announced regulatory reforms mark a potential turning point for the US crypto market. With clearer rules and lower barriers to entry, the industry could continue to professionalize and attract institutional investors. The coming weeks should demonstrate the extent to which the announced measures are actually implemented and what concrete impact they will have on the market.