The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has launched the third phase of its ambitious CFTC Crypto Sprint—an accelerated initiative designed to modernize and harmonize digital assets regulations across the United States. Announced by acting chair Caroline Pham, this new stage marks a pivotal moment as the agency calls for public input to drive the next era of crypto oversight. With a deadline set for October 20, 2025, stakeholders have a crucial opportunity to help craft the rules that will govern retail investors, stablecoins, and anti-money laundering practices moving forward.
Public input: A cornerstone for effective regulations
The CFTC Crypto Sprint’s third phase invites retail investors, industry participants, and the broader public to provide direct feedback on urgently needed digital assets regulations. This open comment period aims to capture real-world concerns, practical suggestions, and innovative ideas to shape a regulatory environment that balances innovation with consumer protection. By gathering public input, the CFTC is positioning itself as a responsive regulator willing to listen and adapt, ensuring eventual rules reflect the needs of both seasoned traders and newcomers.
Digital assets oversight: Moving beyond spot trading
Expanding from its earlier focus on spot crypto markets, the CFTC Crypto Sprint now targets broader areas impacting digital assets, such as custody standards, leveraged retail trading practices, and stablecoin frameworks. These focus areas are designed in direct response to gaps highlighted by the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets. By widening the scope, the CFTC seeks greater regulatory clarity, investor trust, and improved market structure. This move also helps address high-profile concerns such as anti-money laundering protocols and inconsistent market protections.
Regulations for retail investors and stablecoins
One of the main objectives of the CFTC Crypto Sprint is to unite fragmented crypto market rules under consistent federal standards. For retail investors, this means access to safer trading environments, clear consumer protections, and stronger guarantees around custody and asset management. The initiative also directly addresses stablecoins—a rapidly growing sector in digital assets—where rules on issuance, backing, and compliance with anti-money laundering measures remain under debate. Input collected during this phase will greatly influence the draft regulations submitted during the planned fourth phase.
Anti-money laundering and industry protections
With new digital assets regulations, the CFTC is zeroing in on anti-money laundering requirements to help curb illicit finance and restore confidence among retail investors. These new standards, developed in partnership with other federal agencies like the SEC and informed by public input, will serve as a core pillar for safe and sustainable crypto adoption across the U.S. By advancing consumer protections without stifling innovation, the CFTC Crypto Sprint aims to set global standards while establishing U.S. leadership in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
What comes next after the CFTC Crypto Sprint’s third phase?
Following this broad call for public input, the CFTC will analyze feedback and develop formal rule proposals in the sprint’s fourth phase. This collaborative process, coordinated with the SEC and reflected in efforts like Project Crypto, is engineered for speed and inclusiveness. Experts see this approach as essential for moving from fragmented state-level enforcement to cohesive national crypto policy. The final guidelines promise increased clarity, greater security for retail investors, and a more competitive U.S. role in international digital asset markets.
Frequently asked questions about the CFTC Crypto Sprint (FAQ)
What is the CFTC Crypto Sprint?
The CFTC Crypto Sprint is a multi-phase regulatory initiative by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to create modern, unified rules for digital assets, with a current call for public input to help guide new regulations.
Why is public input important to the CFTC Crypto Sprint?
Public input ensures the resulting digital assets regulations reflect practical concerns, foster innovation, and address the real needs of both retail investors and market professionals.
What issues will the new CFTC Crypto Sprint regulations cover?
The updated rules will address custody standards, leveraged retail trading, stablecoins, anti-money laundering, consumer protections, and overall market structure.
How does the CFTC plan to coordinate with other regulators?
The CFTC works closely with the SEC through initiatives like Project Crypto, collaborating to create consistent federal rules that unify and strengthen U.S. crypto oversight.
When will the new regulations take effect?
The next major milestone is October 20, 2025, the deadline for public comments. Formal rulemaking and implementation will follow in the sprint’s fourth phase.
Sources to this article
- Commodity Futures Trading Commission (2025) “CFTC opens next phase of crypto sprint, seeks public input on broader rules.”
- The White House, President’s Working Group on Financial Markets (2024) “Report on Stablecoins and Digital Asset Markets.”
- Rossow, A. & Youssef, R. (2025) “Federal regulatory sprint: Legitimacy and leadership in U.S. crypto policy.” Crypto Regulation Weekly.
