U.S. Regulators Greenlight Spot Crypto Trading on Registered Exchanges

Highlights:

• United States regulators approve spot crypto trading, which gives clear rules for exchanges and investors.
• They require exchanges to actively track markets, protect investors, and report data.
• Experts say spot cryptocurrency may soon appear on top exchanges like the NYSE and the Nasdaq.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have officially approved spot cryptocurrency trading on regulated U.S. exchanges, the agencies confirmed in a joint statement on September 2. This announcement is a major milestone and gives clear guidance to crypto investors and exchanges in the United States.

The agencies confirmed that current regulations do not stop regulated U.S. or international exchanges from offering digital assets. They stated that their staff are prepared to review filings from designated contract markets (DCMs), national securities exchanges (NSEs), and foreign boards of trade (FBOTs) looking to list spot crypto products.

The SEC and CFTC issued a joint statement supporting the trading of certain spot crypto assets on registered platforms. They clarified that SEC-registered NSEs, CFTC-registered DCMs, and FBOTs are not prohibited from facilitating such trading. Relevant platforms are encouraged to…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) September 2, 2025

The SEC and CFTC did not name specific digital assets, but noted their joint statement addresses crypto products with “leverage, margin, and financed spot retail commodity transactions.” More meaningful trade details should be provided by exchanges, track underlying markets on a real-time basis, and meet common pricing standards, added the statement.

The authorities stated:

“Today, the Divisions provide their view that DCMs, FBOTs, and NSEs are not prohibited from facilitating the trading of certain spot crypto asset products. Market participants are invited to engage with SEC staff or CFTC staff.”

Authorities Provide Clear Guidance for Spot Cryptocurrency Trading

Regulators stand prepared to examine exchange filings and respond to questions regarding custody and clearing. They emphasized ensuring that new spot markets adhere to standards for transparency, surveillance, and investor protection. The SEC and CFTC encouraged market participants to reach out with proposals and questions.

Exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken already provide spot trading, but the guidance makes clear that traditional finance platforms can also list these products. Leading regulated platforms such as Nasdaq, NYSE, CME Group, Cboe, and certain CFTC-recognized foreign boards could now list spot cryptocurrencies. This development highlights the ongoing evolution of U.S. digital asset policies under President Donald Trump’s administration.

This statement follows several months of planning by both entities. Early this year, Project Crypto was launched by the SEC, while the CFTC issued Crypto Sprint, which plans to create a regulatory regime for digital assets. Their next move, from planning to real-life implementation, is the statement of intentions. The recent joint statement represents the next stage of these efforts, moving them from planning into real-world implementation.

U.S. Regulators Support Mainstream Crypto Trading

Analysts say this move will push crypto trading fully into the mainstream. Nate Geraci noted that leading exchanges such as the NYSE and Nasdaq could soon offer spot cryptocurrencies, followed by integration across major brokerages.

Joint statement from SEC & CFTC today on trading of spot crypto assets…

Main takeaway? Crypto trading going mainstream.

Will be on world’s largest venues.

Think NYSE, Nasdaq, etc.

Next stop after that?

Every major traditional brokerage.

I know you're paying attention now. pic.twitter.com/yybp5MNGcW

— Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) September 3, 2025

Timing is crucial, with global platforms drawing significant liquidity and innovation. Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett emphasized that the move shows regulators’ commitment to keeping the U.S. at the forefront of digital assets.

NEW: In a rare show of unity, SEC & CFTC staff just issued a joint statement clarifying that SEC and CFTC-registered exchanges are not prohibited from facilitating the trading of certain spot crypto asset products.

SEC Chair Paul Atkins said: “Market participants should have…

— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) September 2, 2025