SEC Unveils Fresh Crypto Guidance Amid Regulatory Uncertainty

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued fresh guidance on crypto regulation, despite the failure of the CLARITY Act in the Senate last week. The new FAQs focus on when tokens may fall outside securities laws and which issuer activities trigger Howey-related concerns.

The SEC's staff guidance aims to provide clearer compliance signals for token issuers, DeFi projects, DEXs, and CEXs, potentially reducing legal uncertainty for adoption and listings.

The new FAQs clarify that tokens may be exempt from securities regulation if they meet certain conditions. The issuer activities that trigger Howey-related concerns include buybacks, staking, and other forms of token manipulation.