SEC–CFTC Roundtable Confirms No Merger, Signals Impact on Crypto Market

September 30, 2025

Regulators from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have held their first joint roundtable in over a decade to discuss aligning rules for the crypto industry, stressing cooperation rather than a merger.

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Key points: 

  • The SEC and CFTC held their first joint roundtable in over a decade, focusing on collaboration to harmonize crypto regulations rather than pursuing a merger.
  • Officials emphasized that past regulatory gaps created a “no man’s land,” delaying products from reaching the market and underscoring the need for clearer guidance.
  • While cooperation may improve regulatory clarity, the U.S. crypto landscape remains fragmented, leaving long-term uncertainty for digital asset firms as future policies and agency guidance continue to evolve.

“Our focus is on harmonization, not on a merger between the SEC and CFTC,” SEC Chair Paul Atkins reportedly stated at the roundtable. “Working together is working better – the turf war is over,” acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham stated. 

At the September 29 roundtable, Atkins described the regulatory gap between the two agencies as a “no man’s land,” noting it has left a trail of “dead products” that might have reached the market if not for the prevailing uncertainty.

Pham, the sole remaining commissioner at the CFTC after a series of departures, emphasized in her opening remarks how closer collaboration between the two agencies could reshape the regulatory framework for digital asset firms.


Executives from cryptocurrency firms, including Kraken and Crypto.com, participated in the roundtable, which took place as the U.S. government faces a potential shutdown amid partisan disagreements over healthcare funding from a July budget bill.

SEC–CFTC Roundtable Could Bring Clarity for SHIB Holders

For SHIB holders, the SEC–CFTC roundtable signals more clarity than constraint. With both agencies stressing collaboration rather than a merger, exchanges where SHIB trades are unlikely to face sudden regulatory shifts, keeping liquidity and access largely stable for the time being.

This is particularly important for digital asset investors who rely on predictable market conditions to trade or participate in token-based ecosystems. That said, the U.S. crypto regulatory landscape remains fragmented, with overlapping responsibilities and differing enforcement approaches between the SEC and CFTC still in place.

While this fragmentation prevents immediate shocks or sweeping rule changes, it also maintains an element of long-term uncertainty, leaving investors and market participants watching closely for future policy updates. For SHIB holders, the takeaway is that there’s no new restriction on the horizon, but vigilance remains key, as evolving regulations, potential legislation, and agency guidance could shape the broader market environment in the months ahead, affecting adoption, trading, and overall investor confidence.

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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.