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U.S. SEC Shifts Stance on Crypto Trading Systems
On March 10, 2025, the acting chief of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced a directive to staff to abandon a plan that would have expanded the definition of alternative trading systems to include certain cryptocurrency firms. This move signals a potential easing of regulatory pressure on crypto trading platforms in the U.S.
Spanish Bank BBVA Approved for Crypto Trading
Also on March 10, 2025, BBVA, a major Spanish bank, received approval from Spain’s securities regulator to offer Bitcoin and Ether trading services. This reflects growing institutional acceptance of crypto within regulated frameworks in Europe.
U.S. Banks Cleared for Crypto Activities
On March 7, 2025, the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) clarified that national banks can engage in certain crypto activities—like custody and blockchain services—without needing prior regulatory approval. This reverses earlier restrictive guidance, aligning with a broader pro-crypto shift under the current U.S. administration.
International Crackdown on Garantex Exchange
On March 7, 2025, the U.S., Germany, and Finland dismantled the online infrastructure of the Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex. The U.S. Justice Department also charged two administrators, highlighting global efforts to curb unregulated or illicit crypto operations.
Trump’s Crypto Summit and Strategic Reserve
On March 7, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted a first-of-its-kind White House Crypto Summit, pushing for a government-owned cryptocurrency reserve. An executive order signed that day established a strategic stockpile starting with seized Bitcoin, with plans to include Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano (ADA). This has sparked debates about regulatory clarity and potential conflicts of interest given Trump’s personal crypto ventures.
SEC Drops Coinbase Lawsuit
On February 27, 2025, the SEC dismissed its civil enforcement action against Coinbase, the largest U.S. crypto exchange. The agency also formed a Crypto Task Force to develop a regulatory framework, marking a pivot from its previous enforcement-heavy approach.
Robinhood Crypto Unit Cleared by SEC
On February 24, 2025, Robinhood announced that the SEC dropped its investigation into its crypto arm, following earlier threats of charges over securities law violations. This is another sign of a softening regulatory stance in the U.S.
Nigeria Amends Rules to Tax Crypto
On February 18, 2025, Nigeria began amending its digital asset regulations to tax cryptocurrency trading and digitized transactions, aiming to boost revenue amid growing crypto adoption.
Circle vs. Tether on Stablecoin Rules
Posts on X from late February 2025 highlight a clash between stablecoin giants Circle and Tether over U.S. regulations. Circle advocates for mandatory registration of dollar-backed stablecoin issuers, while Tether calls it self-serving, amid rumors of potential U.S. restrictions on Treasury market access for international stablecoins.
