SEC Unveils New Crypto Custody Framework, Teases More Regulatory Proposals

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is signaling that it has more regulatory proposals in the works for the crypto industry. This comes after the agency proposed a new framework for crypto custody, which would allow self-custody of crypto assets in limited circumstances and let state trust companies serve as custodians for crypto.

The proposal, which was published on October 1, 2026, aims to fix custody requirements that have fallen out of date. The current rules, written for stocks and bonds, do not map neatly onto assets that live on a blockchain.

SEC Chair Paul S. Atkins described the proposal as a 'compliant pathway' for the sector, which has operated in regulatory grey areas. The goal is to help on-chain markets develop inside the US instead of migrating offshore.

The comment period for the proposal is open for 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. The SEC also hinted at more regulatory proposals in the works, with Atkins stating that 'more regulatory proposals are on the horizon.'