SEC Drops Dedicated Crypto Section in 2026 Examination Priorities

Quick Breakdown 

• SEC’s 2026 roadmap does not include a dedicated crypto section, unlike previous years.
• Shift aligns with the Trump administration’s pro-crypto stance and its expansion of family-linked crypto ventures.
• AI, custody, fiduciary oversight, and cyber resilience are now top-tier regulatory priorities.

 

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has published its 2026 examination priorities, with a striking omission: no standalone section referencing cryptocurrencies or digital assets . 

The move aligns with the more crypto-friendly posture under President Donald Trump, whose administration has been more supportive of the industry, easing regulatory pressures.

Released on Monday by the SEC’s Division of Examinations, the document outlines oversight plans for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, centring on traditional compliance, operational transparency, and investor protection. Although crypto was not explicitly highlighted, the Commission emphasized that the list does not represent all areas of scrutiny and leaves room for additional focus.

Source: SEC

Shift mirrors Trump-era sentiment

The absence of crypto-focused language contrasts with previous years under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, where digital assets, spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs, market volatility and investor protection occupied front-page priority. 

“Given the volatility and activity involving the crypto asset markets, the Division will continue to monitor and, when appropriate, conduct examinations of registrants offering crypto asset-related services,”

the Division said last year.

Trump’s current approach has amplified industry growth, with his family branching into crypto trading, mining, stablecoins, and token ventures, while regulatory messaging appears less aggressive. Additionally, Trump urged the U.S. to embrace crypto, outlining plans to position the US as the global leader in Bitcoin and digital assets.

SEC leadership calls for transparency over punitive examinations

SEC Chair Paul Atkins stated that examination efforts must remain cooperative rather than confrontational, noting that the annual publication enables market participants to prepare proactively for engagement with federal examiners.

He emphasised that examinations should not serve as surprise enforcement traps, but rather as tools to support regulatory alignment.

The Division confirmed that its current roadmap centres on fiduciary duty, custody practices, and customer data protection, alongside heightened monitoring of risks tied to advanced technologies. Artificial intelligence-driven advisory tools, automated investment systems, and cyber resilience, including the ability to respond to ransomware, will receive special attention, according to the document.

While crypto may no longer be a standalone headline topic, the Division noted that emerging technology risks remain within its scope, leaving space for digital asset oversight where necessary.