SEC Chairman Paul Atkins announced a new token classification and investment contract interpretation framework at the DC Blockchain Summit 2026 on March 18. This framework clarifies that Bitcoin and Ethereum are classified as digital commodities and are not considered securities. The SEC has exempted four categories of non-securities: digital commodities (BTC, ETH), digital collectibles, digital utilities, and payment stablecoins under the GENIUS Act. Only 'digital securities,' which are tokenized traditional securities, will be governed by securities laws. Atkins emphasized that the SEC will no longer act as a 'committee regulating everything.'