Daily Financial Regulation Update -- Wednesay, August 19, 2026

Subscribe to PH FedACTion: Financial Regulatory Updates
Subscribe to the PHFintech: Crypto Policy Tracker

 

Major Developments

Securities and Exchange Commission Proposes New Regulation Crypto Assets

August 18, 2026

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it is proposing new rules, titled “Regulation Crypto Assets,” that would create a clear and fit-for-purpose framework for certain investment contracts involving crypto assets.

• Proposed Rule
• Fact Sheet
• Press Release
• Chair Atkins Statement
• Commissioner Peirce Statement
• Commissioner Uyeda Statement

 

Federal Agencies

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Business Leaders Survey — August 2026

August 18, 2026

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York released the Business Leaders Survey for August 2026.

• Report
• Overview

 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

CFTC Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Rule Changes for Commodity Pool Operator and Commodity Trading Advisor Registration

August 18, 2026

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission published a notice of proposed rulemaking seeking public comments on amendments to Part 4 of the CFTC’s regulations addressing registration of commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors.

• Press Release
• Proposed Rule

 

Bank Policy Institute

Letter: ‘CAMELS Proposal Makes Meaningful Progress, But More Reform Is Necessary’

August 17, 2026

The Bank Policy Institute submitted a comment letter regarding the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s recently proposed revisions to the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System, commonly known as CAMELS.

• Comment Letter
• Press Release

 

Administration Changes

Appointments/Confirmation Hearings

U.S. Department of the Treasury – Scott Bessent (effective January 27, 2025)

Federal Reserve Board – Kevin Warsh (effective May 22, 2026)

• Vice Chair Phillip N. Jefferson (sworn in September 13, 2023)
• Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle W. Bowman (sworn in June 9, 2025)
• Governor Michael Barr (sworn in July 19, 2022)
• Governor Christopher J. Waller (sworn in December 18, 2020)
• Governor Lisa D. Cook (sworn in September 13, 2022)
• Governor Jerome H. Powell (sworn in June 16, 2014)

Federal Reserve Bank of New York – John C. Williams (effective June 18, 2018)

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston – Susan M. Collins (effective July 1, 2022)

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Travis Hill (effective January 13, 2026)

• Vice Chairman Vacant
• Director Vacant
• Director Jonathan Gould (Comptroller of the Currency)
• Acting Director Mark Paoletta (Acting Director of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency – Jonathan Gould (effective July 15, 2025)

Securities and Exchange Commission – Paul Atkins (effective April 9, 2025)

Commodity Futures Trading Commission – Michael Selig (effective December 22, 2025)

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Mark Paoletta (Acting Director effective August 1, 2026); Nominee Brian Johnson (nominated June 10, 2026 – nomination hearing July 24, 2026)

National Credit Union Administration – Kyle Hauptman (Chairman effective January 20, 2025)

Small Business Administration – Kelly Loeffler (effective February 19, 2025)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Scott Turner (effective February 5, 2025)

Federal Housing Finance Agency – William Pulte (effective March 13, 2025)

U.S. Department of Education – Linda McMahon (effective March 3, 2025)

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network – Andrea Gacki (effective July 13, 2023)

 

PH Client Alerts

Click here to read more from our Coronavirus series.

 

Legislation/Legislative Updates

Click here to view the full text of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), enacted March 27, 2020.

Click here to view the full text of the Paycheck Protection Program Increase Act of 2020, enacted April 24, 2020.

Click here to view the full text of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, enacted June 5, 2020.

Click here to view the full text of theConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, enacted December 27, 2020.

Click here to view the full text of the American Rescue Plan of 2021, enacted March 11, 2021.

Click here to view the full text of the PPP Extension Act of 2021, enacted March 30, 2021.

Click here to view a running list of proposed legislation from the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, House Committee on Financial Services and House Committee on Small Business