The SEC is taking its crypto outreach on a national tour to connect with small Web3 teams directly.
Roundtables will gather input from startups with fewer than 10 employees and less than two years in operation.
A new SEC AI Task Force will use tech tools to improve internal work but may expand its mission over time.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is launching a five-month tour across nine major cities in the United States. The initiative, led by the Commission’s Crypto Task Force, starts on August 4 in Berkeley, California. The goal is to engage with small Web3 teams that were unable to attend earlier discussions in Washington, D.C.
https://twitter.com/TCR_news_/status/1951500706734809131
This new phase of outreach targets entrepreneurs with fewer than 10 employees and under two years of operation. The SEC is seeking input from startups that often lack the resources to join federal-level talks. The Commission aims to gather broader feedback before finalizing regulatory recommendations by hosting regional roundtables.
New Roundtables Follow Spring Discussions
The Crypto Task Force held its first roundtable on March 21 in Washington. These initial sessions brought together industry experts with varying views. Topics included token classification and the adequacy of existing securities laws. Some participants favored updates to the Howey test, while others argued that current laws are sufficient.
The Commission planned four more roundtables focused on decentralized finance, regulatory clarity, and innovation after those meetings. The agency now shifts its attention to local voices outside Washington’s immediate influence.
This transition reflects a move to include firsthand experiences from smaller developers and builders. The Commission hopes this grassroots approach will better inform future crypto policy. Meanwhile, the SEC approved in-kind creation and redemption for crypto ETFs, which will reduce costs across the digital asset ETF markets.
Focus on Web3 Decentralization and Access
Small Web3 teams will now have a chance to share their views on regulatory frameworks. The Web3 entrepreneurs represent a significant portion of the crypto economy, which is often excluded from formal policy discussions.
By hearing from builders directly, the Commission aims to better understand how regulation affects innovation. The tour also emphasizes decentralization, a defining feature of the Web3 space.
Participants may include smart contract developers, tokenization experts, and early-stage app creators. The roundtables will be held in tech hubs and university cities, expanding access and diversifying input.
SEC Builds Separate Task Force for AI
While the crypto outreach expands, the SEC is also forming a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force. This team will focus on improving internal Commission operations through AI tools. Its current role is limited to staff efficiency, accuracy, and workflow enhancements.
Valerie Szczepanik, a long-serving blockchain and digital asset expert, will lead the new task force. Though not an SEC Commissioner, she brings significant regulatory experience to the group. The Commission may broaden its AI goals later, depending on early outcomes.
The AI Task Force could evolve into a policy advisory body, mirroring the structure now used for crypto regulation.