Digital-asset regulation for RIAs
Each entry names the authority that acted, what changed, whom it affects, the date, and what an advisor must do next.
CFTC replaces its enforcement cooperation policy with a defined path to declination
In May 2026, the CFTC Division of Enforcement issued Staff Advisory 26-15, which replaced all its earlier cooperation advisories, including the February 2025 matrix policy on self-reporting, cooperation and remediation.
Executive Order 14405 directs regulators to remove barriers for fintech and digital-asset firms
The President directed federal financial regulators to review their rules, guidance, supervision and application processes for barriers to innovation.
California DFPI orders Hermes Bitcoin to stop kiosk operations after a series of kiosk cases
On May 18, 2026, the California DFPI settled with Hermes Bitcoin, which agreed to stop its California activity and surrender its kiosk registration.
Federal Reserve Governor Cook speaks on tokenization and financial-system risks
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook discussed the possible benefits of tokenization. She also named its risks: operational, liquidity, leverage, interconnectedness and financial-stability risks.
PCAOB board member asks how crypto affects audit risk and evidence
On April 27, 2026, a PCAOB board member used an official crypto roundtable to ask for input on how digital assets affect audit risk, audit evidence and audit execution.
FASB moves forward on accounting for crypto transfers and wrapped tokens
FASB began deliberations on a proposed accounting-standard update.
FASB directs staff to draft a proposal on digital assets as cash equivalents
On April 15, 2026, FASB completed its initial deliberations and directed staff to draft a proposed Accounting Standards Update.
SEC staff sets conditions under which self-custodial crypto interfaces need not register as brokers
SEC Trading and Markets staff set out a conditional no-objection framework for specified software interfaces.
FinCEN and OFAC propose GENIUS Act AML and sanctions programs for stablecoin issuers
On April 10, 2026, FinCEN and OFAC jointly proposed a rule on AML/CFT and sanctions compliance programs for permitted payment stablecoin issuers.
FDIC proposes GENIUS Act standards and reserve treatment for supervised stablecoin issuers
On April 10, 2026, the FDIC proposed GENIUS Act standards for FDIC-supervised permitted payment stablecoin issuers and insured depository institutions.
Treasury opens cyber-threat information sharing to eligible digital-asset firms
On April 9, 2026, Treasury launched an OCCIP initiative.
FinCEN proposes risk-based AML/CFT program reform
On April 7, 2026, FinCEN proposed a framework to replace its 2024 AML-program proposal.
Treasury proposes principles for certifying state stablecoin regimes
Treasury proposed broad principles for deciding when a state’s payment-stablecoin regime is substantially similar to the federal GENIUS Act framework.
Federal Reserve Governor Barr names stablecoin implementation priorities
On March 31, 2026, Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr gave official remarks on stablecoin oversight and on how to implement the federal stablecoin framework after its enactment.
DOL proposes an ERISA prudence safe harbor for plan options that hold alternative assets
In response to Executive Order 14330, the DOL proposed to clarify ERISA prudence duties and to create a safe harbor for selecting designated investment alternatives.
Texas settles securities allegations against Voyager Digital entities
Texas entered a consent order against Voyager entities.
CFTC staff publishes FAQs on crypto and blockchain use by registrants
CFTC staff published FAQs on how registered entities and registrants may use crypto assets and blockchain technology.
SEC staff approves Nasdaq rule to trade tokenized shares on the same order book as ordinary shares
On March 18, 2026, the SEC's Division of Trading and Markets approved Nasdaq rule filing SR-NASDAQ-2025-072, as amended, in Release No.
CFTC staff grants conditional registration relief to a self-custodial wallet provider
CFTC market-participant staff gave a conditional no-action position to a self-custodial wallet software provider.
SEC issues a Commission interpretation on the status of crypto assets and transactions
The Commission issued an interpretive release, now in effect, that states how it treats specified categories of crypto assets and transactions.
SEC and CFTC sign a memorandum on regulatory harmonization
On March 11, 2026, the SEC and CFTC signed a Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Harmonization in Areas of Common Regulatory Interest.
Banking agencies clarify capital treatment of tokenized securities
The federal banking agencies clarified that tokenization does not by itself change how a security is treated for regulatory capital.
Treasury and IRS propose another way to deliver Form 1099-DA electronically
Treasury and the IRS proposed a process that would let brokers furnish Form 1099-DA electronically without the current affirmative-consent and withdrawal framework.
SEC lets dealers trade WisdomTree's blockchain-recorded money fund at $1.00 around the clock
On Feb. 23, 2026, the SEC granted WisdomTree an exemptive order in Release No.
SEC staff expands its crypto and distributed-ledger FAQs for intermediaries
SEC Trading and Markets staff published crypto and distributed-ledger FAQs in May 2025 and expanded them in December 2025.
Status labels
Each entry carries a status: a binding action, a proposal, guidance, enforcement, or a political signal. A speech or a bill changes no obligation until a rule or a law follows. Every entry starts from the primary document and lists what is still unsettled.
Coverage and corrections
This page follows the U.S. authorities that matter to registered investment advisers, plus state actions of national weight. A published version never changes. A correction or a changed reading creates a new version at the same address, and every earlier version stays in the JSON file.
Educational analysis for financial professionals. Not legal, tax, compliance, or investment advice. Verify current primary sources and consult qualified counsel before implementation.