US Crypto Regulation Basics

Cryptocurrency regulation in the United States involves several agencies rather than one single crypto regulator.

The rules can depend on what an asset is, how it is sold and what activity a company performs.

SEC

The Securities and Exchange Commission oversees US securities markets.

In March 2026, the SEC issued updated guidance explaining how federal securities laws apply to different types of crypto assets and transactions.

Not every crypto asset is automatically a security.

However, tokenized securities and certain crypto transactions or arrangements may fall under securities laws depending on their characteristics.

The SEC also proposed a tailored crypto-asset offering framework in August 2026. A proposal is not a final rule, so it should not be treated as settled law.

CFTC

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversees US derivatives markets and has authority over certain commodity-related crypto activities.

The exact regulatory treatment of an asset or transaction can depend on its structure and use.

IRS

For US federal income-tax purposes, the IRS generally treats digital assets as property.

Taxable events can arise when digital assets are sold, exchanged or received as income.

Other Rules Can Apply

Crypto businesses may also encounter:

• anti-money-laundering requirements
• state-level rules
• consumer-protection laws
• tax reporting requirements
• banking and payments regulation

Crypto regulation changes frequently.

This guide is educational and should not be treated as legal advice.

To see how token sales fit in, read What Is an ICO?

For an example of crypto interacting with US public markets, see our XRP and Evernorth coverage.