The United States has taken a major step toward integrating cryptocurrency into mainstream finance, with regulators clarifying that spot crypto trading is allowed on regulated exchanges. In a joint statement issued Tuesday, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) confirmed that national securities exchanges (NSEs), designated contract markets (DCMs), and foreign boards of trade (FBOTs) are not barred from listing spot crypto products, even those offering leverage or margin.

The announcement signals that leading exchanges like Nasdaq, the New York Stock Exchange, CME Group, and Cboe Global Markets could soon move into the digital asset market. Regulators stressed that they are ready to review filings, address custody and clearing issues, and ensure new spot markets meet standards for transparency, investor protection, and market surveillance.

This coordinated approach follows recommendations from the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, which urged U.S. regulators to provide clarity and encourage blockchain innovation to remain within the country. The move also reflects growing political momentum for clearer crypto rules, as both Congress and the White House have backed new legislation in 2025. In July, the House of Representatives passed the CLARITY Act, a landmark crypto market structure bill now awaiting Senate review.

While platforms like Coinbase and Kraken already offer spot crypto trading, the SEC–CFTC guidance opens the door for traditional finance giants to compete directly in the market. Analysts say this shift could accelerate institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies and give investors more regulated, transparent, and secure venues for trading.

The announcement underscores how U.S. crypto policy is evolving under President Donald Trump’s administration, with regulators seeking to balance oversight with innovation in one of the fastest-growing sectors of global finance.