The US SEC issued guidance on broker-dealer crypto asset custody and crypto ATS operations.

Odaily Planet Daily reports that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this week released a new staff statement through its Division of Trading and Markets, providing operational guidance on regulated broker-dealers holding clients' crypto assets, and simultaneously released a frequently asked question document on crypto alternative trading systems (ATS).

Regarding custody, the SEC stated that as long as broker-dealers follow the informal standards outlined in the statement, including properly safeguarding client private keys and anticipating scenarios such as blockchain failures, 51% attacks, hard forks, or airdrops, regulatory action will not be taken. This guidance applies to crypto securities, including tokenized stocks and debt securities, but the definitions still require further clarification.

In addition, the SEC raised key regulatory concerns regarding trading and settlement activities on crypto ATSs. Hester Peirce, Commissioner and head of the SEC's Crypto Task Force, stated that trading platforms and market participants need to operate under clearly defined market structure rules to promote a fair and orderly market environment without imposing unnecessary burdens. (CoinDesk)