CFTC To Discuss Pilot Program for Stablecoin Regulation

CFTC Acting Chair Caroline Pham announced a CEO Forum today, building off an idea she pitched in 2023. This forum will gather crypto industry representatives to discuss digital asset markets, especially stablecoins.

This “regulatory sandbox” will propose and discuss possible new regulations, and it will include delegates from Circle, Coinbase, Crypto.com, MoonPay, and Ripple.

Chairman Pham Secures CFTC Crypto Forum

Caroline Pham, Acting Chair of the CFTC, announced today that the Commission will be hosting a CEO Forum to discuss the launch of its digital asset markets pilot program.

Pham proposed a program like this in September 2023, but she now has the opportunity to enact this transformative policy since the previous Chair resigned last month.

“I’m excited to announce this groundbreaking initiative for U.S. digital asset markets. The CFTC is committed to responsible innovation. I look forward to engaging with market participants to deliver on the Trump Administration’s promise of ensuring that America leads the way on economic opportunity,” Pham claimed.

The CFTC has invited representatives from Circle, Coinbase, Crypto.com, MoonPay, and Ripple to attend this forum. Pham proposed it as a “regulatory sandbox” to discuss potential new policies concerning tokenized non-cash collateral, especially stablecoins.

In other words, it will give crypto firms an active voice in crafting the CFTC’s regulations.

Since Pham became its Chair, the CFTC has begun a few roundtable-type discussions similar to this Forum. In late January, she announced several roundtables to discuss crypto market structures.

Yesterday, she announced another roundtable to discuss prediction markets. In all these efforts, Pham seeks to drive clarity and collaboration.

It may soon be especially important that the CFTC is hosting this forum and similar discussion organs. Specifically, since Trump won the last election, rumors have been building that the CFTC could replace the SEC as the top crypto enforcer.

Earlier this week, Hester Peirce described the SEC’s goals, which place a high priority on delegating its crypto jurisdiction. The SEC may determine that the CFTC or another body should handle specific cryptoassets or sub-sectors of the industry. That doesn’t mean it’ll lose relevance.

Overall, Pham’s forum reflects the new administration’s desire to actively engage with crypto leaders to establish clear regulations and policies. Leaders from industry giants like Coinbase and Ripple will likely have a key role in upcoming stablecoin regulations.