The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is overhauling its cryptocurrency strategy under the Trump administration, prioritizing clarity over enforcement. This insight comes after acting SEC Chair Mark Uyeda unveiled a crypto-focused special task force on his first day, following his appointment on January 20 by former President Donald Trump.

According to an internal SEC memo, the task team is called “SEC Crypto 2.0” and would be led by Commissioner Hester Peirce. She's a vocal advocate for balanced oversight in the crypto sector, which earned her the nickname “Crypto Mom” among industry leaders. 

From what we know about this new task force, Peirce will be collaborating with Congress, the CFTC, and global regulators to streamline registration requirements and disclosure standards. This move aligns with Trump’s campaign pledge to reverse Biden-era crackdowns and position the U.S. as a crypto innovation hub.

The announcement of this initiative marks a stark departure from former SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s contentious tenure. Under Gensler, the agency filed over 100 enforcement actions against crypto firms, including Coinbase, Kraken, and Ripple. Critics argued his aggressive tactics relied on untested legal theories, driving businesses offshore and stifling growth.

Additionally, SEC’s latest press release criticized the prior administration’s approach, noting that “reactive enforcement bred confusion about what’s legal. This environment discouraged innovation and enabled fraud. We must do better.” The news release further emphasized that the new task force seeks to address these gaps by establishing upfront guidelines rather than retroactive penalties.

Crypto executives around the world welcomed the SEC’s pivot after years of clashes and crackdowns menacing. “We’ve begged for clear rules for years. Yesterday, the answer was ‘no.’ Today, it’s a new day,” said Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal. Additionally, the Bitcoin price surged to a record $109,061 following Uyeda’s appointment, reflecting investor optimism about reduced regulatory friction.

Kraken’s Global Head of Policy, Jonathan Jachym, called the task force a “critical step toward ending regulation by enforcement.” Ripple’s Stuart Alderoty added:

Focusing on the expected function of the new task force, it will be expected to advise lawmakers drafting crypto legislation and coordinate with state and international agencies. Another key focus of the task force would be resolving jurisdictional overlaps between the SEC and CFTC, long criticized for creating compliance chaos.

While the industry celebrates, skeptics warn lax policies could empower bad actors. But Peirce has come out to clarify the task force’s mandate during an interview where she commented that, “This isn’t about lowering standards. It’s about writing rules that fit crypto’s uniqueness while protecting investors.”

The SEC’s shift reflects growing urgency to keep pace with the EU and Singapore, which have advanced crypto frameworks. Analysts say the U.S. risks losing its competitive edge without coherent policies.

As of now, the task force begins work immediately, with rulemaking expected within months. Yet, stakeholders acknowledge challenges ahead but see the SEC’s willingness to collaborate as a turning point. As Jachym noted in a press conference:

Progress won’t happen overnight, but the door to dialogue is finally open.
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