On Oct. 5, 2026, the CFTC opened an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking public comment on a federal framework for retail crypto transactions covered by section 2(c)(2)(D) of the Commodity Exchange Act. The agency is considering rules to curb abusive practices, give market participants crypto-specific compliance guidance, and create a purpose-built “crypto asset market” category within designated contract market registration. CFTC release

On Oct. 5, 2026, the CFTC opened an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking public comment on a federal framework for retail crypto transactions covered by section 2(c)(2)(D) of the Commodity Exchange Act. The agency is considering rules to curb abusive practices, give market participants crypto-specific compliance guidance, and create a purpose-built “crypto asset market” category within designated contract market registration. CFTC release

The proposed path to leveraged spot trading is for eligible platforms to register with the CFTC as crypto asset markets, bringing covered leveraged or margined retail crypto transactions under a tailored federal regime. This is an exploratory first step: the CFTC says comments will inform possible future action, and the notice is not a final rule or authorization to offer such trading. Comments are due within 60 days after the notice’s Federal Register publication. CFTC release

The proposal aims to place covered crypto transactions within a uniform national framework with consumer protections and rules designed to prevent fraud, while drawing on the CFTC’s existing statutory authority. The release does not establish that ordinary spot trading would move into this framework or specify the final eligibility requirements for exchanges.