SEC to Host Crypto Roundtable on December 15 After Fed Rate Cut — Big Surprises Coming?
SEC Crypto Roundtable December 15: Markets Brace for Regulatory Shifts as Fed Rate Cut Nears
The cryptocurrency market entered a tense and uncertain period this week as traders digested new regulatory developments coming from the United States. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission confirmed that it will hold a dedicated Crypto Roundtable on December 15, a high-level event focused on financial surveillance, privacy technology, regulatory clarity, and the next phase of digital asset compliance. The announcement landed just days before the Federal Reserve’s December 10 FOMC meeting, where global investors await a decision on a potential interest rate cut.
The timing of these two critical events has sparked volatility across the crypto market, driving red charts, panic selling, and liquidations that shook investor confidence overnight. Analysts now warn that December could become one of the most decisive market moments leading into 2026.
The SEC meeting is expected to bring together regulators, privacy coin founders, blockchain innovators, and legal experts to debate how digital asset privacy can coexist with U.S. financial monitoring requirements. Among invited speakers are Zooko Wilcox of Zcash, Jill Gunter of Espresso Systems, Koh of Aleo, Simon Letort of Digital Asset, Nikhil Raghuveera of Predicate, and Wayne Chang of SpruceID. The discussion will be moderated by Yaya J. Fanusie from the Cryptocurrency Council for Innovation.
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| Source: Coin Bureau X Account |
This session could shape future guidelines around ZK technology, privacy coins, decentralized identity networks, and how exchanges should operate under new compliance expectations. For some investors, this is a step toward clarity. For others, it signals stronger enforcement and tighter surveillance in the near future.
What the SEC Plans to Discuss on December 15
Based on the published agenda, the event will focus on:
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Financial surveillance and digital privacy standards
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Compliance rules for privacy-focused cryptocurrencies
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Regulatory frameworks for ZK-proofs and identity systems
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Monitoring and reporting standards for exchanges
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Policy structures for institutional adoption going into 2026
Opening remarks will be delivered by Richard B. Gabbert, Chairman Paul S. Atkins, Commissioner Mark T. Uyeda, and Commissioner Hester Peirce, one of the most vocal pro-innovation figures on the commission. The meeting is framed not merely as a discussion but as a strategic attempt to build a roadmap that balances innovation with national security measures.
Industry observers believe this roundtable could influence how privacy coins are treated under upcoming SEC regulations. The long-debated issue of anonymity versus compliance may reach a new turning point, especially as global governments tighten their stance on digital money laundering and cross-border transfers.
One senior analyst noted that the conversation may determine whether privacy tokens will face heavier restrictions in the coming year, or whether they will be integrated more formally under licensed frameworks. Either path will have major implications for market pricing and investor sentiment.
Market Reaction: Fear Takes Over as Prices Slip
Shortly after the SEC agenda became public, the crypto market reacted sharply. Red candles spread across major assets, wiping out gains from the previous week. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index dropped to 23, entering the Extreme Fear zone. This shift reflects weakening trader confidence, reduced liquidity inflow, and rising caution ahead of policy-driven uncertainty.
In the last 24 hours:
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Bitcoin traded at $89,577.42, down 3%
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Ethereum at $3,036.83, down 4%
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XRP fell 2%
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Over 132,000 traders were liquidated
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Liquidation total reached $414.28 million
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Largest single liquidation: BTC-USD position worth $8.50M on HyperLiquid
Analysts believe this downturn is not caused by technical breakdown alone, but rather by anticipation of what new surveillance and compliance rules could mean for digital finance in the United States.
Another Pressure Point: December 10 Federal Reserve Rate Decision
As the crypto sector watches the SEC meeting, a second event looms close behind: the Federal Reserve’s December 10 FOMC meeting. With inflation gradually cooling, economists now expect a potential 25 basis point rate cut, a move that could inject new momentum into risk assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and growth equities.
Recent U.S. inflation data:
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PCE: 2.8%
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Core PCE: 2.8%
Both figures show downward inflationary pressure, fueling expectations of monetary easing. According to analyst Jesse Cohen:
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| Source: Xpost |
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Rate cut probability: 82.3%
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No change probability: 17.7%
If a rate cut is confirmed, liquidity could return to markets faster than expected, possibly stabilizing sentiment after the SEC roundtable. If not, risk assets may extend their downturn deeper into December.
Short-Term Outlook: Volatility Likely to Continue
Market analysts and trading desks agree on one thing: December will not be quiet.
In the short term, price swings may remain sharp as investors wait for policy clarity. Bitcoin appears weak below psychological support, Ethereum is struggling to maintain trend momentum, and altcoins appear vulnerable to further selloffs. Funding rates have cooled and volume has thinned, indicating that many traders prefer to stay on the sidelines until direction becomes clearer.
A digital asset strategist noted that when central bank decisions and regulatory policy collide within the same trading cycle, volatility is not only normal, it is expected. Fear-driven liquidations often come before potentially bullish catalysts, depending on macro outcomes.
Medium-Term Projection: Recovery Possible After Event Outcomes
If the market absorbs both events without negative surprises, a relief rally may emerge.
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Bitcoin could attempt a move toward $95,000
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Ethereum may target a recovery zone near $3,500
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Privacy-focused assets like Zcash, Monero, and Aleo-linked tokens may gain interest
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Institutional accumulation could return by early Q1 2026
Institutional capital typically increases following regulatory clarity, not before it. Should the SEC signal structured compliance rather than restrictive enforcement, sentiment could shift quickly.
Long-Term Outlook: A New Bull Cycle Could Form in 2026
Despite short-term fear, many analysts suggest that the current downturn may be laying the groundwork for a larger uptrend. If the rate cut materializes and regulatory frameworks become clearer, 2026 could become the beginning of a new accumulation phase.
Historically, crypto bull cycles emerge after periods of suppressed volatility and macro tightening. With global liquidity expected to expand in the next year, digital assets may be positioned to benefit. What appears today as panic could ultimately become a launchpad for renewed growth.
Several hedge funds believe the December events could mark a bottom formation zone, as large players begin re-entry strategies while retail sentiment is still low. Long-term holders may view this period as an opportunity rather than a threat.
Final View
Two dates now dominate the crypto calendar:
December 10 — Federal Reserve Interest Rate Decision
December 15 — U.S. SEC Crypto Roundtable
Both events carry weight. Individually powerful, together potentially market-defining.
December may remain turbulent, but the combination of regulatory discussion and monetary policy adjustments could fuel the early stages of 2026’s next major rally. Whether this becomes a breakout or a breakdown depends on how the crypto industry interprets what happens behind closed doors.
For now, the world is watching policy makers. Markets are holding their breath. Fear is high, but so is the potential for surprise.
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