US SEC Excludes Crypto from 2026 Examination Priorities: Trump's Embrace of Industry Considered Influential

US SEC Dropping Crypto from 2026 Examination Priorities – A Move Reflecting Presidential Support?

Recently, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in an unexpected turn of events, has excluded the usual section on cryptocurrencies from its 2026 examination priorities. This surprising exclusion seems to mirror President Donald Trump’s pronounced affinity towards the cryptocurrency industry—a trend that has had significant impact on the sector’s growth.

SEC 2026 Priorities Exclude Connection to Cryptocurrency

Every year, the Division of Examinations under the SEC presents its examination priorities for the subsequent fiscal year. These priorities provide valuable insights on the SEC’s critical areas of focus for the coming year. This year, however, the publication pertaining to the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, intriguingly omits any specific mention of cryptocurrency or digital assets. The SEC has clarified that its declared priorities do not encompass all areas that the Division will concentrate on in the forthcoming year. However, the exclusion of cryptocurrencies, given their rapidly increasing significance in the financial landscape, is a move that has piqued industry interest.

A Reflection of Trump’s Stance on Cryptocurrency?

With President Trump at the helm, the US crypto industry has thrived. His administration has mostly strived to deregulate the sector, enabling it to flourish. Furthermore, the Trump family has increasingly ventured into cryptocurrency, launching a trading platform, initiating a mining business, and developing their own stablecoin and token.

Re-envisioning Examination Priorities

The SEC’s role is to ensure the fair and efficient operation of the US financial markets. Regular examinations are a crucial part of accomplishing the SEC’s mission. Paul Atkins, SEC Chair, emphasized the importance of these checks, but also highlights they are not meant to be punitive. The Division of Examinations is tasked with investigating organizations like investment advisors, broker-dealers, clearing agencies, and stock exchanges for compliance with federal securities laws. However, the Chair advises that leading firms should regard these examinations as opportunities for constructive dialogue with SEC examiners and could promote more transparency.

A Shift in the SEC’s Priorities?

In contrast with this recent move, the SEC, under the leadership of the previous SEC Chair, Gary Gensler, announced last year that its focus would center on activities involving crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ether. The Division conceded the crypto asset markets’ volatility and activity and stated it would continue monitoring and conducting examinations of registrants offering services related to crypto assets when necessary.

Highlighting Emerging Technologies

Interestingly, the SEC has specified in their report that they plan to focus more on the risks associated with the use of emerging technologies. They have specifically flagged artificial intelligence and automated investment tools as areas of particular interest. Alongside this, the SEC stresses the importance of firms’ ability to respond and recover from cyber incidents including those related to ransomware attacks.

Conclusion

The SEC’s latest shift in priorities is intriguing given the fast-growing importance of digital assets and emerging technologies. It also reflects the current administration’s positive outlook on crypto assets. The SEC now seems to be more focused on the rapidly developing areas of technology, underscoring the rising importance of these new sectors in the modern financial landscape. The future of cryptocurrency in the U.S, under this new perspective, will certainly be worth watching.