As Cryptocurrency Exchanges Seek ATS Licenses, SEC Vows Enhanced Oversight

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has vowed that it will enforce enhanced oversight and transparency requirements on alternative trading systems (ATS), just as a number of cryptocurrency exchanges are pursuing these licenses.

The SEC on Wednesday announced that it had voted to adopt amendments to the ATS regulatory framework, rules that it says will enable the agency to more effectively oversee these trading platforms, which trade securities listed on national exchanges but are not registered as exchanges themselves.

“I applaud the staff’s retrospective review of our regulation of ATSs. I agree that promoting greater transparency in order interaction, matching, and execution will help empower investors and their intermediaries to find those trading venues that best meet their trading and investing objectives,” said SEC Chairman Jay Clayton in a statement accompanying the announcement.

There is no mention of cryptocurrencies in the amendments, which were…