The EU and the US are moving on crypto.

Q1 | March 5, 2025

Cense AG | The Crypto Compliance Report

Author:
Andreas Katelari
Senior Compliance Officer

A power shift in the US:
From uncertainty to leadership

Cense AG | The Crypto Compliance Report

New leadership, new rules: crypto regulators step in

For years, crypto regulation in the U.S. has been a maze of lawsuits and shifting policies, leaving financial institutions and investors in limbo. But that’s changing fast. The regulatory tide is turning with new leadership and a sharper focus on clarity and innovation. Mark T. Uyeda has stepped in as acting Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a regulator he has previously criticized for its aggressive enforcement-first approach. Soon, the position will be permanently filled by Paul S. Atkins, a pro-crypto businessman and former SEC commissioner, signaling a shift toward more pragmatic policies. Meanwhile, Caroline Pham, a well-known advocate for fintech innovation, has been appointed as acting chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

The momentum doesn’t stop there. David Sacks, a strong proponent of digital assets, now chairs a new federal working group on crypto regulation, aiming to create a framework that brings clarity and stability to the industry. The SEC has also launched a Crypto Task Force led by Commissioner Hester Peirce, a long-time supporter of tailored, innovation-friendly regulations. Even more striking, former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order establishing a Digital Asset Council, tasked with positioning the U.S. as a global hub for crypto innovation. This marks a dramatic shift from past regulatory hostility—moving from reactive enforcement to proactive leadership in shaping the digital economy.