While many are counting on Bitcoin to hold current levels and on the start of a new bull cycle, the SEC has announced two parallel steps, both aimed at a fundamental restructuring of US equity market architecture. What does that have to do with the crypto market? Let us take a closer look.
It has emerged that on September 17 the regulator will hold a roundtable at its Washington headquarters on preparations for around-the-clock trading. The participants will not be abstract experts but the infrastructure players themselves who will have to rebuild the system: NYSE, Nasdaq, State Street, Citadel Securities, Cboe, DTCC, Citi, BlackRock, Charles Schwab, Jane Street, and Robinhood. SEC Chair Paul Atkins stated the ambition directly: "We are moving towards a new day—and night—in the US equity markets," adding that he expects US markets to converge with those that already trade continuously while preserving critical investor protections.
The logic behind the simultaneous announcement of two initiatives is clearly visible in the market structure of recent months. Stablecoin issuers such as Circle have long supported settlement on weekends and holidays, while many exchanges have already been actively introducing trading in tokenized shares of major companies included in the main US indexes. In that sense the SEC is seeking to preserve the lion's share of trading volumes on US venues.
Analysts say the composition of the participants in the September roundtable—bringing together precisely those who will have to physically rebuild the infrastructure rather than theoretical observers—is a stronger signal of the regulator's real intentions than yet another policy paper.
It is worth noting that this is already the SEC's third major step in the past month within a regulatory track running in parallel with Congress, following "Regulation Crypto Assets" on August 18 and the custody rules proposal on August 26.
Trading recommendations:
As for the technical picture for Bitcoin, buyers are currently targeting a return to $77,500, which opens a direct path to $79,200, and from there the distance to $81,300 is short; a break of that level will signal an attempt to restore a bull market. In the event of a decline in bitcoin, I expect buyers at $75,300. A move back below that area can quickly drag BTC toward $72,800. The farthest target will be the $71,100 area.
As for the technical picture for Ethereum, a clear hold above $2,443 opens a direct path to $2,504. The farthest target will be the high around $2,557, a break of which will signal strengthening bullish sentiment and a return of buyer interest. In the event of a decline in ether, I expect buyers at $2,373. A move back below that area can quickly drag ETH toward $2,320. The farthest target will be the $2,274 area.
What we see on the chart:
- Red lines indicate support and resistance levels where either a price slowdown or active growth is expected;
- Green lines indicate the 50-day moving average;
- Blue lines indicate the 100-day moving average;
- Light green lines indicate the 200-day moving average.
A crossover, or a price test of moving averages, typically either halts the move or sparks fresh market momentum.