The SEC has proposed new rules aimed at making it easier for investment advisers and regulated funds to hold cryptocurrencies on behalf of their clients.
Key facts
- The SEC has proposed new rules relating to cryptocurrency holdings.
- The rules would apply to investment advisers and regulated funds.
- The changes are intended to make it easier to hold crypto on behalf of clients.
- The proposal was reported on October 2, 2026.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed new rules that would make it easier for investment advisers and regulated funds to hold cryptocurrencies on behalf of their clients, according to CNBC.
The proposal targets two groups central to how ordinary investors access markets: investment advisers, who manage money for clients, and regulated funds, which pool investor capital. Under the SEC’s plan, both would face fewer obstacles when holding digital assets for the people they serve.
The move signals a shift in how the main U.S. market regulator approaches cryptocurrencies, which have long occupied an uncertain position within existing financial rules. By addressing how crypto can be held on behalf of clients, the SEC is focusing on a practical question that has complicated wider adoption among mainstream financial firms.
CNBC reported the proposal on October 2, 2026. The outlet’s report centered on the regulator’s intention to ease the path for funds and advisers to hold crypto, rather than on the detailed mechanics of the proposed rules.
As with other regulatory proposals, such measures typically move through a process before taking effect. The source material does not specify a timeline, the full scope of the rules, or when any final decision would be made.
Why it matters
The SEC sets the rules for how professional money managers in the U.S. can handle investments, so easing restrictions on crypto could open the door for more mainstream funds and advisers to offer digital assets to everyday clients. That could shape how accessible cryptocurrencies become within regulated, traditional investment products.
Frequently asked questions
What did the SEC propose?
According to CNBC, the SEC proposed new rules that would make it easier for investment advisers and regulated funds to hold cryptocurrencies on behalf of their clients.
Who would the new rules affect?
The proposal would affect investment advisers and regulated funds, which manage and pool money for clients and investors.
When was the proposal reported?
CNBC reported the proposal on October 2, 2026.