CFTC advances voluntary crypto exchange registration as Congress stalls on market-structure law.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is developing a voluntary federal registration pathway for crypto exchanges, aiming to extend the same protections that govern traditional derivatives markets. Chairman Mike Selig said the agency will use its existing powers to move forward on parts of its crypto agenda despite Congress not yet passing a market‑structure law.

On Oct. 5 the CFTC released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking covering Regulation Crypto Asset Transactions (CTX) and Regulation Crypto Asset Markets (CAM), citing Section 2(c)(2)(D) of the Commodity Exchange Act. The framework targets retail commodity transactions involving leverage, margin or financing, and offers exchanges the option to register federally for these services.

Selig noted that exchanges that do not offer leveraged products can remain state‑licensed but will still be subject to CFTC anti‑fraud and anti‑manipulation authority. The notice seeks public comment, was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 13, and sets Dec. 14, 2026 as the deadline for submissions.

Summary rewritten by AI from the original article by crypto.news.