In remarks to the Solana Policy Institute, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins said he has asked staff to develop a proposal clarifying crypto custody for investment advisers and regulated funds. The measure would permit advisers to self-custody client crypto assets and use state trust companies as custodians under specified circumstances and appropriate conditions, advancing the SEC’s previously outlined 2026 crypto rulemaking agenda. Atkins presented the planned custody framework alongside the SEC’s recently proposed Regulation Crypto Assets and transfer agent modernization as three pillars covering how crypto assets are issued, traded, transferred and held. He noted that feedback on Regulation Crypto Assets has focused on when a covered investment contract ceases to exist after entrepreneurs complete promised managerial efforts. Ahead of the scheduled Sept. 16 congressional vote, he also urged lawmakers to advance the CLARITY Act while indicating that the SEC’s crypto agenda would proceed regardless of the legislation’s outcome.