In the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency landscape, there is significant regulatory uncertainty, particularly in the United States, where a well-defined framework has yet to emerge. Several nations globally are making progress by creating proper frameworks to attract crypto-related businesses and protect their citizens. 

Challenges in the U.S. regulatory landscape

According to a recent report by Coinbase, in the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is taking strict enforcement action against these frameworks. These significant enforcement actions not only raise questions about the classification of the evolving digital assets industry but also impact overall crypto businesses in the US.

Recent legal judgments, including SDNY Judge Torres’s ruling against the SEC’s action on Ripple, indicate potential flaws in the SEC’s approach. The DC Circuit’s criticism of the SEC’s rejection of Grayscale’s spot Bitcoin ETF further adds to the uncertainties. 

This unclear crypto regulation, specifically in the banking industry, is discouraging smaller crypto firms from forming partnerships with banks, as seen in the case of Ripple Labs. This is the primary reason banks are losing interest in getting involved with these evolving digital assets, causing the US to lag in overall regulatory advancement.

On the other hand, Congress is currently reviewing more than 10 crypto-related bills, including the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT 21Act) and the Clarity for Payment Stablecoin Act of 2023.

Global regulatory developments

Looking at global regulatory developments, countries across the globe are in the race to become global crypto hubs. Europe and the Middle East are actively advancing in crypto regulation. The EU’s MiCA regulation from June 2024 provides a comprehensive framework, while the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 incorporates crypto into existing rules, paving the way for more detailed regulations.

In the Middle East, the UAE and Dubai have set up regulations, and the ADGM has introduced the world’s first framework for blockchain foundations and DAOs. In the United Kingdom, regulations focus on stablecoins and tokenization, with the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority overseeing the process.

In the Asian regulatory landscape, Australia is continuously adopting crypto with proposed licensing requirements. Hong Kong allows licensed crypto platforms for retail and institutional investors. On the other hand, Singapore’s Monetary Authority regulates Digital Payment Token Service Providers, emphasizing stability, reserves, and transparency.

As global regulations evolve rapidly, the U.S. must overcome challenges to retain financial market leadership. To stay competitive, the U.S. needs to quickly establish a regulatory framework that encourages innovation and protects consumers.

Get Crypto Trading Signals from Real Crypto Analysts. Join our Waiting List at todayq.com