SEC Eases Requirements for Self-Custodial Crypto Wallets

SEC clarifies crypto transaction interfaces under broker-dealer rules.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a statement clarifying the interpretation of software interfaces for cryptocurrency transactions under broker-dealer regulations.

NEW 🚨: As part of Project Crypto, the Division of Trading and Markets issued a staff statement providing its views on broker-dealer registration requirements in connection with certain interfaces used to prepare transactions in crypto asset securities.https://t.co/8jCwFOJZcw pic.twitter.com/gmp7jbBhgV

— U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (@SECGov) April 13, 2026

Staff from the Commission’s Division of Trading and Markets indicated that solutions for operations through self-custodial wallets may be exempt from registration under certain circumstances.

The main condition is not to steer investors towards specific transactions involving crypto asset securities. It is also required not to comment on transaction execution paths and to comply with other SEC standards.

The clarification does not have the force of an official regulatory rule, which requires public discussion. However, it “provides greater clarity in the application of laws,” the authors noted.

Commissioner Hester Peirce supported the initiative. However, she emphasized that she would prefer a “more sustainable regulatory approach”—a revision of the broker definition considering current market conditions.

New SEC staff statement on interfaces: https://t.co/9PnfmDrtFn
And why we need rulemaking (so sharpen your pencils to weigh in): https://t.co/KcqpxIln1P

— Hester Peirce (@HesterPeirce) April 13, 2026

“Cryptocurrencies force the Commission to wrestle with internal demons that have driven it towards ever broader interpretations of securities laws,” added the “crypto mom.”

In the community, the latest SEC clarification was called “one of the most important” in history.

Over the past year, the regulator has issued several similar guidelines. In one of them, the agency excluded meme coins and most stablecoins from the category of securities.

Back in late December 2025, the SEC released an investment bulletin dedicated to cryptocurrency wallets and digital asset storage.