CFTC Sends Proposal to Regulate Crypto Transactions After Clarity Act Fails
CFTC Moves Ahead with Crypto Rulemaking
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) sent a proposal to the White House on Thursday to regulate crypto transactions and markets. This move comes after lawmakers blocked the Clarity Act, a major piece of crypto legislation, on Tuesday.
The proposal, titled “Regulation Crypto Asset Transactions and Regulation Crypto Asset Markets,” was posted on the Office of Management and Budget’s website. However, the exact details of the regulations are not yet clear.
Key Points
- The CFTC sent a rulemaking proposal to the White House on Thursday, September 18, 2026.
- The proposal follows the Senate's failure to advance the Clarity Act on Tuesday.
- Both the CFTC and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have said they will proceed with crypto rulemaking despite the law not passing.
- CFTC Chair Mike Selig said the agency is “locked in and ready to ship its rules for the new frontier of finance.”
What the CFTC Chair Says
CFTC Chair Mike Selig commented on Wednesday that the Senate vote was “unfortunate.” He also said the CFTC would still work to help President Trump “get the job done” in regulating crypto. Before the vote, Selig had said the agency would proceed with rulemaking whether or not the Clarity Act was enacted, with the goal of finalizing rules before the administration’s term ends.
Other Regulators Also Acting
The CFTC is not the only regulator moving forward. The SEC earlier this week approved trading of tokenized stocks, which are digital representations of traditional shares. In August, the SEC also proposed its own framework for crypto asset offerings.
What Is Confirmed
It is confirmed that the CFTC sent a proposal to the White House on Thursday. The proposal’s title is known, but its contents are not publicly detailed yet. It is also confirmed that the Senate blocked the Clarity Act on Tuesday, and both the CFTC and SEC have said they will continue with rulemaking.
What Is Still Unclear
The specific regulations in the CFTC’s proposal are not yet known. It is also unclear how the proposal will interact with the SEC’s own rulemaking efforts. The ethics concerns raised by Democrats regarding the Clarity Act remain unresolved.
Why This Matters
The CFTC’s proposal could shape how crypto transactions and markets are regulated in the U.S. The move shows that regulators are pressing forward despite the legislative setback. This could bring more clarity to which digital assets are considered securities, commodities, or stablecoins.
What Happens Next
The proposal is now at the White House for review. The CFTC aims to finalize its rules before the end of the administration’s term. The SEC is also continuing its own rulemaking process.
Sources
Newisty Editorial Team covers technology, cryptocurrency, digital products, online platforms, developer tools and the wider digital economy. Our content is researched from official sources, company announcements, public documentation, market data and other primary or reputable sources. Articles are reviewed and edited before publication for clarity, accuracy and useful context.
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