CFTC Pushes Crypto Rulebook to White House Review as Congress Stalls on Clarity Act

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has forwarded proposed cryptocurrency market regulations to the White House for formal review, according to industry reports. The move comes as lawmakers remain deadlocked over the Clarity Act, a bill intended to establish a comprehensive legal framework for digital assets. By sending the rules to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, the CFTC signals it will not wait for Congress to act. The agency is pressing forward with its own oversight structure for crypto spot and derivatives markets. At the same time, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has opened a fresh path for tokenized stock trading. This development could allow blockchain-based representations of equities to trade under certain conditions, potentially bridging traditional finance and digital assets.

With the Clarity Act stalled, both agencies are filling the regulatory vacuum. The CFTC’s proposal likely covers registration, reporting, and risk management for crypto firms. The SEC’s move on tokenized stocks suggests a willingness to explore innovation within existing securities laws. Market participants have long called for clear rules. The CFTC’s independent action may provide temporary certainty, but without legislation, future administrations could reverse course. The SEC’s tokenized stock initiative could also face legal challenges. Still, the dual actions show that U.S. regulators are moving ahead on crypto policy even as Capitol Hill remains gridlocked.