SEC Crypto Safe Harbor Proposal Heads to White House Review, Says Atkins

According to SEC Chair Paul Atkins, the crypto safe harbor framework is under final OIRA review and would combine a four-year startup fundraising exemption with disclosure rules, token classification guidance, and a potential innovation sandbox.

Summary

SEC Chair Paul Atkins said the agency’s crypto safe harbor proposal has been submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs for final review before release. He said the plan includes a four-year startup exemption for fundraising with disclosure requirements, as well as an investment contract safe harbor tied to March guidance on token classification. Atkins also said the SEC is studying an innovation exemption that would function as a regulatory sandbox for onchain assets.

Terms & Concepts
  • safe harbor: A regulatory framework that gives firms temporary or conditional relief from enforcement while they work toward compliance.
  • investment contract: A legal concept in U.S. securities law used to assess whether an asset or arrangement is subject to securities regulation.
  • onchain assets: Digital assets that are issued, transferred, or managed directly on a blockchain network.