The SEC will cancel inspections of crypto companies in 2026.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it will no longer conduct separate audits targeting crypto companies in 2026. This decision marks a key shift in the agency’s focus compared to Gary Gensler’s tenure, when audits of digital asset issuers were a separate regulatory activity. Back then, particular attention was paid to companies involved in Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs.

The SEC’s Office of Scheduled Examinations clarified that, starting in 2026, the regulator will return to a broader view of the financial market. From now on, audits of companies working with digital assets will be conducted in the general manner, without a separate «crypto focus.» This marks a shift from a strict, selective approach to a more balanced model of engagement with the industry.

New SEC Chairman Paul Atkins emphasized that the primary focus of oversight will be on traditional fiduciary duties. These include the proper custody of user assets, the protection of personal data, and enhancing companies’ cyber resilience. Atkins noted that easing pressure on the crypto market is intended to improve dialogue between the regulator and industry representatives, making inspections a tool for the joint development and coordination of regulatory requirements.

It is important to note that the SEC has already taken steps toward more transparent regulation of the crypto market. Previously, the agency presented updated draft guidance on the classification of digital assets based on the Howey Test. The document proposes a rethinking of the approach to determining which cryptoassets are securities and which are commodities, which could significantly change the regulatory structure of the industry in the future.

Thus, the cancellation of scheduled crypto inspections in 2026 demonstrates the SEC’s commitment to moving from pressure to dialogue and building a more predictable and transparent model for interaction with the digital asset market.