US SEC Eases Crypto Reporting For Banks And Brokerages

As an analyst with extensive experience in financial regulation, I believe this latest move by the SEC is a prudent one given the ongoing debate surrounding the SAB 121 accounting rule in Congress. The uncertainty surrounding the implementation of this rule has left many banks and crypto firms in limbo, preventing them from offering certain services to their clients.


The SEC is providing leniency with crypto reporting regulations for banks and brokerages in the US, as the veto of the SAB 121 accounting rule by the House of Representatives persists.

SEC Allows Banks to Exclude Crypto Holdings from Balance Sheets

The US securities regulatory body has introduced a new option for banks and brokerages to exclude crypto assets from their customers’ reported holdings on their balance sheets. However, it is crucial that these financial institutions take adequate measures to manage any accompanying risks. This development comes amidst heated debates in Congress regarding the contentious crypto-accounting guidelines.

As a securities analysis expert, I’ve learned that the SEC staff has initiated conversations regarding certain cryptocurrency-related arrangements where reporting a liability for crypto holdings on balance sheets is not compulsory, according to my industry insider contact privy to this information.

Leading banks in the United States have held discussions with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the past year. Additionally, these financial institutions have been granted exemptions from providing detailed balance sheet reports, under the condition that they maintain safeguards to secure customers’ assets in the event of bankruptcy.

The SEC has requested that the bank implement further security measures for these assets, according to a source who spoke with Bloomberg. These measures include strengthening internal controls to better shield these holdings.

Other Crypto Firms Likely to Benefit From the Rules

The SEC’s stance on cryptocurrency accounting may affect other US-based crypto firms that provide comparable services to crypto investors. Some lenders contend that stringent accounting regulations hinder their ability to offer crypto services due to increased balance sheet sizes, which in turn trigger higher capital requirements from banks rather than the SEC.

As a researcher studying the banking and financial industry, I’ve come across information indicating that trade groups have been pushing for Congress to repeal the staff guidance related to Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 (SAB 121). This guidance, which serves as an agency rule, has been a subject of contention. However, on Thursday, efforts to overturn a presidential veto on a bill aiming to revoke SAB 121 fell short in the House, meaning that the accounting rule remains intact for now.

As a financial analyst, I’ve come across information indicating that banks have persuasively made their case to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff during private discussions, suggesting that cryptocurrency wallets and Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) fall outside the purview of regulatory guidance for crypto assets.

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2024-07-12 06:54