SEC Moves to Ease Crypto Rules as White House Pushes Bill

Group 1: Regulatory Changes - The SEC plans to introduce a new "innovation exemption" by December, allowing crypto firms to launch products faster and comply later, aiming for a more stable platform for innovation [1] - The SEC has dropped multiple enforcement cases and established a crypto task force since the Trump administration began, and is drafting new rules to clarify how tokens and trading platforms fit under securities law [2] Group 2: Legislative Actions - The White House is driving legislative action, with a comprehensive market structure bill expected by year-end, as stated by Patrick Witt from the White House Council of Advisors on Digital Assets [3] Group 3: Retirement Plan Revisions - An executive order signed by Trump in August directs regulators to revise retirement plan rules, allowing employer-sponsored 401(k) accounts to include alternative assets like Bitcoin [4] - House Republicans are urging the SEC to act quickly, arguing that new options for about 90 million Americans could enhance diversification and reduce reliance on traditional assets [5] Group 4: Market Perspectives - Research from Deutsche Bank suggests that Bitcoin and gold may coexist as reserve assets by 2030, with decreasing volatility due to growing institutional demand [6] - Critics highlight potential risks associated with fees, liquidity mismatches, and volatility, which could expose fiduciaries to lawsuits under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act [6] - Consumer advocates express concerns that most savers lack the necessary tools to evaluate complex digital assets, raising investor protection issues [6]