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SEC, CFTC relaunch Project Crypto to align U.S. digital asset oversight

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SEC, CFTC relaunch Project Crypto to align U.S. digital asset oversight

Crypto regulators push Congress for urgent market structure laws as SEC and CFTC relaunch Project Crypto to coordinate on‑chain oversight and close gaps.

Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul S. Atkins called on Congress to pass crypto market structure legislation immediately as federal regulators announced a coordinated approach to digital asset oversight.

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Michael S. Selig joined the SEC to relaunch Project Crypto on Jan. 29, 2026, according to statements from both agencies. The joint initiative aims to align SEC and CFTC oversight as digital asset markets increasingly operate on blockchain networks.

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The announcement comes as lawmakers debate bipartisan crypto bills addressing market structure. Atkins and Selig stated in their joint statement that regulatory clarity requires both legislative action and coordinated implementation by federal agencies.

Project Crypto was described as a program designed to prepare U.S. markets for digital asset trading and settlement. The regulators stated that crypto markets have moved “on-chain,” requiring agencies to modernize oversight frameworks and surveillance capabilities.

The initiative seeks to establish coordinated regulation across agencies, according to the statement. The chairs argued that unclear rules and enforcement-focused approaches have constrained innovation and limited investor opportunities, calling for clear regulatory frameworks and consistent enforcement.

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Selig and Atkins proposed that regulators should sequence new requirements rather than impose multiple obligations simultaneously, creating pathways for compliant market participants. The statement outlined a “minimum-effective-dose” regulatory approach, with rules focused on material risks and grounded in statutory authority.

The chairs noted that fragmented oversight creates regulatory gaps in on-chain markets, where trading, clearing, settlement, and custody functions are often integrated. Jurisdictional divisions between agencies produce duplicative requirements that reduce efficiency and regulatory clarity, according to the statement.

Project Crypto aims to eliminate regulatory conflicts by aligning definitions across agencies, coordinating oversight responsibilities, and enabling data sharing between regulators. The goal is to prevent firms from facing duplicative registrations for similar products, the statement said.

SEC seeks to attract global digita;l asset activity

The chairs warned that global jurisdictions are competing to attract digital asset activity, with some implementing lighter regulatory frameworks while others impose restrictions that may slow market development. They argued that overly restrictive regulation could drive innovation to other jurisdictions.

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Atkins urged Congress to pass the CLARITY Act and broader market structure legislation, calling legislative action urgent. He also expressed support for expanding retirement account access to crypto assets. Both chairs stated that legislative action must be accompanied by coordinated implementation plans to provide regulatory clarity.

The statement emphasized that regulators should adapt rules to new technology rather than applying legacy frameworks, focusing on material risks. Registration, disclosure, custody, clearing, and surveillance were identified as near-term priority areas.

The initiative places pressure on Congress to establish statutory frameworks for digital asset markets, with the chairs indicating that coordinated regulatory implementation would follow legislative progress.

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Cap Airdrops $12 Million in Stablecoins to Early Users

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Cap Airdrops $12 Million in Stablecoins to Early Users


The stablecoin protocol ended its “Frontier” rewards phase with a dollar-denominated token airdrop.

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$55B in BTC Futures Positions Unwound In 30 Days: Will Bitcoin Recover?

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Coinbase, Cryptocurrencies, Business, Bitcoin Price, Markets, United States, Cryptocurrency Exchange, Derivatives, Financial Derivatives, Bitcoin Futures, Binance, Price Analysis

Bitcoin’s (BTC) struggle to hold above $70,000 carried on into Wednesday, raising concerns that the a drop into the $60,000 range could be the next stop. The sell-off was accompanied by futures market liquidations, a $55 billion drop in BTC open interest (OI) over the past 30 days, and rising Bitcoin inflows to exchanges.

The price weakness has analysts debating whether crypto-specific factors or larger macro-economic issues are the driving factor behind the sell-off and what it may mean for BTC’s short-term future.

Key takeaways: 

  • Around 744,000 BTC in open interest exited major exchanges in 30 days, equal to roughly $55 billion at current prices.

  • BTC futures cumulative volume delta (CVD) fell by $40 billion over the past 6-months.

  • Crypto exchange reserves have risen by 34,000 BTC since mid-January, increasing the near-term supply risk.

Coinbase, Cryptocurrencies, Business, Bitcoin Price, Markets, United States, Cryptocurrency Exchange, Derivatives, Financial Derivatives, Bitcoin Futures, Binance, Price Analysis
Bitcoin weekly chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

BTC open interest collapse points to large-scale deleveraging

CryptoQuant data noted that Bitcoin’s 30-day open interest change shows a sharp contraction across exchanges, reflecting widespread position closures, not just freshly opened short positions. 

On Binance, the net open interest fell by 276,869 BTC over the past month. Bybit recorded the largest decline at 330,828 BTC, while OKX saw a reduction of 136,732 BTC on Tuesday.

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In total, roughly 744,000 BTC worth of open positions were closed, equivalent to more than $55 billion at current prices. This drop in open positions coincided with Bitcoin’s drop below $75,000, indicating deleveraging as a driving factor, not just spot selling.

Coinbase, Cryptocurrencies, Business, Bitcoin Price, Markets, United States, Cryptocurrency Exchange, Derivatives, Financial Derivatives, Bitcoin Futures, Binance, Price Analysis
Bitcoin open interest 30D change. Source: CryptoQuant

Onchain analyst Boris highlighted that the cumulative volume delta (CVD) data shows market sell orders continue to dominate, particularly on Binance, where derivatives CVD sits near -$38 billion over the past six months.

Other exchanges show varying dynamics: Bybit’s CVD flattened near $100 million after a sharp December liquidation wave, while HTX stabilized at -$200 million in CVD as the price consolidates near $74,000.

Related: Bitcoin bounces to $76K, but onchain and technical data signal deeper downside

Increased exchange flows add pressure as analysts watch key levels

Meanwhile, Bitcoin inflows to exchanges surged in January, totaling roughly 756,000 BTC, led by Binance and Coinbase. Since early February, inflows have exceeded 137,000 BTC, underscoring traders’ repositioning and not necessarily leaving the market.

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On the supply side, analyst Axel Adler Jr. noted that exchange reserves have risen from 2.718 million BTC to 2.752 million BTC since Jan. 19. The analyst warned that continued growth above 2.76 million BTC could increase selling pressure. The analyst believed that a complete capitulation is yet to take place, which may happen at lower price levels.

Coinbase, Cryptocurrencies, Business, Bitcoin Price, Markets, United States, Cryptocurrency Exchange, Derivatives, Financial Derivatives, Bitcoin Futures, Binance, Price Analysis
Bitcoin exchange reserves. Source: CryptoQuant

Market analyst Scient said Bitcoin is unlikely to form a bottom in a single day or week. Durable market bottoms may develop through two to three months of consolidation near the major support zones, with higher time frame indicators. Scient noted that whether this structure forms in the high $60,000 range or the low $50,000 level remains unclear.

Bitcoin Trader Mark Cullen continues to see potential downside toward $50,000 in a broader macro scenario, but expects a short-term reversion toward the local point of control ($89,000 to $86,000) after BTC swept weekly lows below $74,000 on Tuesday. 

Coinbase, Cryptocurrencies, Business, Bitcoin Price, Markets, United States, Cryptocurrency Exchange, Derivatives, Financial Derivatives, Bitcoin Futures, Binance, Price Analysis
Mark Cullen’s LTF BTC analysis. Source: X

Related: Bitcoin’s $68K trend line seen as potential BTC price floor: Traders