The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently sent an important signal — the regulatory treatment of mainstream cryptocurrencies like Ethereum is undergoing subtle but profound changes.

In the latest "2026 Examination Priorities" released by the SEC, a key adjustment was made: the independent category of "Cryptocurrency/Digital Assets" was removed for the first time. While this change appears technical, it carries deep implications. It indicates that regulators no longer view cryptocurrencies as a special target requiring separate and focused enforcement, but are gradually integrating them into the broader traditional financial regulatory framework for oversight.

For market participants, this reflects a substantive shift in regulatory thinking — from early prevention and tightening to pragmatism and differentiation. In other words, assets like Ethereum, which have established clear fundamentals and market positions, are increasingly recognized for their compliance attributes. Under the new government leadership, the SEC has evidently adopted a more balanced regulatory approach.

In the long term, this is a positive signal for the integration of mainstream cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial system. The improved compliance status means that policy barriers for institutional investors and traditional financial institutions entering the space are gradually being removed. This gradual normalization of regulation may be the true hallmark of the crypto market’s path toward maturity.