U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins said the agency is approaching markets in harmony with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission [1].

This shift marks a departure from years of jurisdictional disputes between the two regulators. By aligning their oversight, the agencies intend to provide clearer guidelines for digital-asset markets and reduce the legal uncertainty that has historically hindered crypto innovation [3].

Speaking during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on May 9, 2026 [1], Atkins said, "For the first time, we are approaching the markets in harmony with the CFTC." He said the objective is to provide clear rules for crypto and work hand-in-hand with the other commission [2].

The collaboration is designed to resolve what Atkins described as a regulatory tug-of-war [3]. This tension has often left investors and companies unsure whether their specific digital assets are classified as securities or commodities, a distinction that determines which agency holds primary authority.

Atkins said the goal of this coordinated approach is to bring certainty to investors [3]. The effort to streamline oversight follows other recent agency activity, including SEC remarks made at the AI+ Expo on May 8, 2026 [3].

By ending the regulatory turf battle, the SEC intends to create an environment more friendly to innovation [3]. This approach suggests a move away from enforcement-led regulation toward a framework of established, cooperative rules.

“"For the first time, we are approaching the markets in harmony with the CFTC."”

The alignment between the SEC and CFTC represents a fundamental shift in the U.S. regulatory landscape for digital assets. By coordinating their efforts, the agencies can eliminate the 'gap' or 'overlap' in jurisdiction that has led to contradictory rulings and protracted litigation. For the industry, this likely means a transition from a period of regulation-by-enforcement to a more predictable rule-based system, potentially encouraging institutional investment in crypto-related products.