The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to convene a significant roundtable discussion on April 11, 2025, bringing together key figures from the cryptocurrency industry, including representatives from Coinbase, Cumberland DRW, and Uniswap Labs. This initiative marks a notable shift in the SEC’s approach to crypto regulation, emphasizing dialogue and collaboration with industry stakeholders.
The upcoming roundtable reflects the SEC’s intent to engage directly with prominent cryptocurrency entities. Coinbase, a leading crypto exchange, has previously faced legal challenges from the SEC, underscoring the complex relationship between regulators and digital asset platforms. Cumberland DRW, a major crypto market maker, was sued by the SEC in October 2024 for allegedly operating as an unregistered dealer. Uniswap Labs, the developer behind the decentralized exchange Uniswap, has also faced regulatory scrutiny. Their inclusion highlights the SEC’s recognition of these firms’ pivotal roles in the ecosystem and its willingness to address past conflicts through open dialogue.
A Shift Toward Collaborative Regulation
This roundtable aligns with the SEC’s broader move away from an enforcement-first strategy toward developing clear regulatory frameworks for digital assets. Under the leadership of Commissioner Hester Peirce, the SEC’s crypto task force aims to craft rules that balance investor protection with the need to foster innovation in the industry. The approach reflects growing efforts to tailor existing securities laws to the unique nature of digital assets.
Previous legal actions by the SEC have exposed the difficulties of applying traditional frameworks to blockchain-based services. For example, the case against Cumberland DRW illustrated the regulatory ambiguity surrounding crypto market-making. By hosting this roundtable, the SEC appears to be signaling its intent to better understand industry operations and include stakeholder input in shaping effective, adaptive regulation.
SEC Expands Public Engagement Through Roundtable Series
The event will feature remarks from Acting Chair Mark Uyeda, along with Commissioners Caroline Crenshaw and Hester Peirce. Commissioner Peirce, who currently leads the SEC’s internal crypto task force, emphasized the value of public engagement in regulatory planning. In a statement ahead of the event, Peirce said hearing directly from stakeholders helps the Commission work toward a policy environment that is both fair and practically applicable to digital assets.
The April 11 session follows a March 21 roundtable focused on the legal classification of digital assets—particularly the debate over what constitutes a security. Additional sessions are already scheduled, including an April 25 event on crypto custody best practices, followed by May and June roundtables dedicated to tokenization and decentralized finance (DeFi), respectively.
This expanded schedule underscores the SEC’s commitment to sustained dialogue with the crypto sector and a more transparent rulemaking process. It also reflects a broader push to modernize U.S. securities regulations in light of emerging blockchain technologies.
Quick Facts
- The SEC is hosting a crypto roundtable on April 11, 2025, featuring participants from Coinbase, Cumberland DRW, and Uniswap Labs.
- This initiative marks a shift from the SEC’s previous enforcement-focused approach to a more collaborative regulatory strategy.
- The roundtable aims to address the application of securities laws to digital assets and develop clearer regulatory guidelines for the industry.
