Crypto firms may get fresh guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission even if Congress takes its time, Republican Commissioner Hester Peirce told Bloomberg.
Peirce, also known as “Crypto Mom”, said agency staff have been working on guidance since January and that the SEC plans to use its existing authority to clarify how securities laws apply to tokens and on-chain trading.
That means rules could shift from internal memos or staff letters rather than new federal statutes alone.
Peirce said the project “is going very well” and that teams across the agency are meeting with industry leaders.
Based on reports, those meetings are meant to narrow down how current law should be interpreted for token issuers, trading platforms, and custody services.
Reports have disclosed that companies like Ripple raised concerns that the bill could broaden the SEC’s reach.
Peirce described the draft as “a very sophisticated piece of legislation to work out,” and she said the agency is ready to work with members of both the House and the Senate to help shape the final text.
That coordination is focused on preventing conflicting rules and on determining which agency should handle different types of crypto products.
Companies operating in token markets should assume guidance and enforcement could come from the SEC even before Congress acts.
That means compliance teams should document how their products fit under current securities tests and be prepared for staff inquiries.
Peirce’s remarks suggest the agency will try to provide practical guidance, but she also reminded audiences that enforcement powers remain available while guidance is being developed.
Two separate tracks — administrative guidance from the SEC and possible legislation from Congress — could produce quicker clarity on some issues, while creating uncertainty on others.
Based on recent statements, the SEC intends to act within its current authority while the legislative process continues.
That approach could speed some answers for the industry, but it also keeps enforcement risk alive and leaves open questions about the final division of power between the SEC and the CFTC.
Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView
