SEC Declares 18 Cryptos Commodities, Reshaping US Market

Edgen Crypto·Mar 23 2026, 03:50

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Key Takeaways

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have released landmark guidance clarifying digital asset classifications. The new framework designates 18 major tokens, including Bitcoin and Ether, as commodities and creates distinct categories for assets like Fan Tokens, significantly reducing regulatory risk and paving the way for broader institutional adoption in the United States.

18 Tokens Named Commodities: Regulators provided a list of assets including Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, and XRP that now fall primarily under CFTC oversight, separating them from the SEC's stricter securities laws.
New 'Digital Tool' Category Boosts Niche Assets: Fan Tokens like Chiliz (CHZ) are now classified as "digital collectibles and tools," removing legal barriers for US exchange listings. The CHZ token traded up 4.51% in the two weeks following the news.
End of Regulation-by-Enforcement: The 68-page joint interpretive release establishes a clear five-category framework for crypto, shifting the industry from years of legal uncertainty to a more predictable, rules-based system.

SEC and CFTC Name 18 Digital Commodities in 68-Page Guidance

On March 17, 2026, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) issued a 68-page joint interpretive release that provides a new classification system for digital assets. Announced at the DC Blockchain Summit by SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig, the commissioner-level guidance supersedes a 2019 staff-level framework and carries significant weight, directing how enforcement and supervisory staff at both agencies will treat crypto assets.

The document explicitly classifies 18 cryptocurrencies as “digital commodities,” placing them under the purview of the CFTC. The list includes market leaders such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), Avalanche (AVAX), and XRP, along with Dogecoin (DOGE), Shiba Inu (SHIB), and others. This move effectively ends years of speculation and “regulation-by-enforcement” for these specific assets, clarifying that they are not considered securities under the Howey Test.

Fan Tokens Gain 'Digital Tool' Status, Sparking 4.5% CHZ Price Move

The new guidance introduces a five-category taxonomy: digital commodities, digital collectibles, digital tools, stablecoins, and digital securities. This framework provides a critical distinction for niche assets, particularly Fan Tokens, which are now classified as “digital collectibles and tools.” This designation implies their primary value derives from utility and fan engagement rather than functioning as a speculative investment vehicle.

This regulatory clarity has had an immediate market impact. The price of Chiliz (CHZ), a leading platform for Fan Tokens, traded near $0.385, climbing 4.51% over the past two weeks as it tests resistance between $0.39 and $0.40. By removing the risk of being deemed an unregistered security, the ruling clears the path for major US exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken to list Fan Tokens, potentially unlocking significant liquidity from the world's largest sports market.