The joint plan aimed to align SEC and CFTC oversight as markets moved on-chain.
Project Crypto relaunched on Jan. 29, 2026, under President Donald Trump’s regulators. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul S. Atkins and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chair Michael S. Selig announced it.
Crypto news regarding this matter suggests that both chairmen said the joint effort targeted regulatory clarity as Congress advanced bipartisan crypto bills.
The timing mattered because lawmakers debated market structure, while regulators reset priorities. Project Crypto framed that shift as a coordinated plan for U.S. digital asset markets. Selig and Atkins said Congress could not deliver clarity alone.
Selig and Atkins said Project Crypto aimed to prepare U.S. markets for “the digital era.” They said crypto markets moved “on-chain,” so regulators had to keep pace. The initiative sought coordinated and durable regulation, according to the latest crypto news.
They criticized the Biden administration’s approach and blamed “flashy enforcement actions.” Selig and Atkins said opaque rules reduced innovation and investor opportunities. They argued regulators should return to clear rules and fair enforcement.
Selig and Atkins said regulators should sequence new requirements, not stack them. They said agencies should create “on-ramps” for compliant participants. Both chairmen also said agencies should modernize surveillance for on-chain and hybrid activity.
They said Project Crypto reflected a “minimum-effective-dose” regulatory approach. According to them, rules should stay precise and avoid punitive enforcement. They said agencies should anchor reforms in statutory authority.
Selig and Atkins said fragmented oversight created regulatory seams in on-chain markets. They said trading, clearing, settlement, and custody are often integrated on-chain. Crypto news had covered that jurisdictional silos created friction that weakened risk management.
They said duplicative requirements undermined resilience and clarity. The status quo could not sustain U.S. dominance in finance. According to them, Project Crypto aimed to eliminate conflicts where possible.
Selig and Atkins said harmonization began with aligned definitions and coordinated oversight. They also said agencies should share data seamlessly and securely. Firms should not face duplicative registrations for similar products.
They said the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission brought complementary mandates. Joint action made oversight “symbiotic rather than duplicative.” They framed this as a modern coordination model for markets.
Selig and Atkins said global jurisdictions competed to attract digital asset activity. Some places moved fast with fewer safeguards. Other places imposed rigidity that slowed growth.
They warned that innovation could leave the United States without clarity. Both also warned that heavy-handed regulation could push risk elsewhere. They positioned Project Crypto as a balance between safeguards and openness.
Altcoin Daily shared crypto news that Atkins urged Congress to pass the CLARITY Act. Altcoin Daily quoted him, saying Congress should step forward with crypto legislation. Atkins framed legislative action as urgent in the post.
Bitcoin Magazine posted that Atkins urged Congress to pass market structure legislation. The post quoted Atkins saying legislation could guide regulators and markets. It described the effort as “Bitcoin & crypto market structure legislation.”
Watcher.Guru posted that Atkins supported opening the $12.5 trillion 401(k) market to crypto. The account said Atkins called it the “right” time. The post framed this as retirement access for digital assets.
Selig and Atkins tied those messages to execution inside the agencies. They said legislation alone would not deliver investor clarity. Agencies planned disciplined implementation roadmaps after Congress acted.
They also said regulators should avoid forcing legacy structures on new technology. They said rules should address material risks and adapt to change. Both cited registration, disclosure, custody, clearing, and surveillance as focus areas.
Selig signed the statement as CFTC chairman. Atkins signed it as SEC chairman. The statement said Fox News first published the article.
Project Crypto set near-term pressure on Congress to define market rules. Atkins’ public comments echoed that urgency through social media posts. Selig and Atkins said coordinated implementation would follow legislative progress.
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