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CFTCLicensingAugust 21, 2026

CFTC Proposes Lighter Registration Rules for RIAs Managing Crypto/Commodity Pools

The CFTC is proposing to exempt certain SEC-registered investment advisers from CPO registration when managing commodity pools for sophisticated investors, add a related CTA exemption, and raise the Small Pool Exemption threshold to account for inflation. Broker-dealers, RIAs, and fund managers that touch crypto or commodity-linked products should assess whether they currently rely on no-action relief that this proposal would supersede. This could reduce duplicative compliance burdens for firms already registered with the SEC.

What to do

  • Audit your firm's current CPO/CTA registration status and any reliance on CFTC no-action letters to determine whether the proposed exemptions would apply and whether to submit a comment.

Who this affects

Broker-Dealer / RIATrust CompanyOther

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Source

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This radar entry is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and grounded in the linked official source; always verify against the primary source and consult qualified legal counsel for jurisdiction-specific guidance.

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CFTC

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OCC

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