SEC and OCC Advance Crypto Frameworks in Landmark Regulatory Move

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency have unveiled new regulatory guidelines positioning digital assets within the traditional financial system. The move signals a major shift toward institutional crypto adoption.

The SEC and OCC have jointly released new policy frameworks aimed at integrating digital assets into regulated financial services. The guidelines establish clear pathways for banks to custody, trade, and settle crypto transactions under federal oversight, marking a pivotal step in the maturation of the crypto market. Specifically, the OCC’s final rule permits national banks and federal savings associations to provide crypto custody services under enhanced risk management standards. Meanwhile, the SEC has proposed a framework for digital asset securities, clarifying that tokens meeting the Howey test must register as securities. This includes BTC-USD and ETH-USD, though the SEC noted they may be exempt under certain conditions. The changes follow a recent surge in institutional interest: assets under custody for crypto ETFs rose 22% in the past month, with COIN (Coinbase) reporting a 38% increase in blockchain transaction volume. ARKK, the ARK Innovation ETF, saw a 15% intraday spike as investors priced in regulatory stability. SOL-USD rose 12% in early trading, reflecting market optimism around infrastructure readiness. The regulatory shift is expected to accelerate adoption by major financial institutions, reduce counterparty risk, and enhance investor protection. Firms like BlackRock and Fidelity may now expand their digital asset offerings, while blockchain startups gain clearer compliance benchmarks. The move could also influence global regulatory approaches, with European and Asian regulators observing the U.S. framework closely.