The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)'s Division of Enforcement has announced priority areas for research in 2025. Cryptocurrencies and related products and services are among them once again.
The regulator said it plans to focus on “offering, selling, recommending, consulting and other activities related to crypto assets.” It specifically named spot Bitcoin - And Ethereum - ETF as one of the areas of verification.
Given the volatility and activity in the crypto asset markets, the Division will continue to monitor and, where necessary, conduct audits of registered entities offering crypto asset related services.
The unit will also assess the actions of market participants to address technological risks associated with the use of blockchain and distributed ledger technology, including risks related to the security of cryptocurrencies, the Commission said in a statement.
According to Keith Cassidy, who is currently the acting director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement, the list of priorities includes industries that pose potential risks to investors. This approach means that the agency is unlikely to change its attitude towards digital assets in 2025. On the other hand, the situation may change after the US presidential election in November.
Recall that if re-elected, Republican candidate Donald Trump promised to fire the head of the US SEC, Gary Gensler, who is unpopular in the crypto industry. It is known that his opponent Kamala Harris was also considering a possible candidacy for this position. If there is no change in the leadership of the Commission, Gensler will work in the department until June 2026. That is when his term of office expires.
