SEC and CFTC Set to Resume Full Operations After 43-Day U.S. Government Shutdown

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) are preparing to resume full operations after a 43-day government shutdown, according to BlockBeats.Staff at both agencies will return on the next regular business day following the enactment of the funding bill signed late Wednesday night, restoring regulatory oversight across financial and crypto markets.Shutdown halted ETF reviews and froze key market oversightDuring the shutdown, the SEC operated with severely reduced capacity, effectively halting its ability to review and approve exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications — including several crypto-related filings submitted over the past month.The CFTC suspended most of its operations entirely, pausing enforcement actions, market surveillance, and ongoing rulemaking, leaving key areas of the derivatives and crypto markets temporarily unmonitored.Backlog of crypto IPO and ETF applications awaits reviewWith the government now reopened, both agencies face a significant backlog. Multiple crypto firms reportedly rushed to file IPO and ETF applications near the end of the shutdown, anticipating a quick reopening.SEC Chair Paul Atkins said the agency plans to move forward with creating a token classification framework anchored in the Howey Test — a long-awaited step toward clearer U.S. digital asset regulation.CFTC Acting Chair Caroline Pham said the commission is pushing to approve leveraged spot crypto trading as early as December, signaling renewed momentum for regulatory innovation.As both agencies return to normal operations, markets expect delayed ETF decisions and enforcement actions to accelerate in the coming weeks.