Blockchain groups urge SEC to formalize digital commodity classification in rule text

Six prominent blockchain organizations have submitted a joint comment letter urging the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to formally embed a digital commodity classification into rule text, according to reports by Cointelegraph and Crypto Briefing. The coalition comprises Chainlink Labs, the Cardano Foundation, Ava Labs, the Stellar Development Foundation, Aptos Labs, and Hedera.^[1][2][3]

Addressed to SEC Secretary Vanessa A. Countryman, the letter was filed in response to the agency's proposed rule, titled Regulation Crypto Assets, which was published in the Federal Register on August 21, 2026. The signatories commended the SEC for its March 17, 2026 interpretation on the application of federal securities laws to crypto assets and asked the agency to reinforce that stance directly within the operative regulatory text.^[2][3]

The organizations noted that they build, support, and operate within Layer 1 blockchain ecosystems, which rely on native tokens to secure networks through staking or mining, pay transaction fees, and participate in governance. The groups contend that formally securing a digital commodity definition will stabilize the regulatory environment and provide durable clarity to foster continued innovation across the crypto sector.^[1][2][3]