US Crypto Group Requests SEC Regulatory Clarity on Staking Services

The Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI), along with nearly 30 cryptocurrency advocacy organizations, has submitted a formal request to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) seeking clear regulatory guidance on staking and staking services.

In an April 30 letter addressed to SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, the coalition—including CCI’s Proof of Stake Alliance (POSA)—argued that staking constitutes a technical process fundamental to blockchain operations, rather than an investment activity subject to securities laws.

The letter emphasized that staking does not satisfy the Howey Test’s criteria for an “investment contract,” as participants retain full ownership of their assets.

Additionally, the coalition urged the SEC to facilitate the responsible integration of staking features into exchange-traded products (ETPs) while avoiding excessively restrictive regulations that could impede innovation.