The SEC has announced a new compliance framework for stablecoins and decentralized finance (DeFi) set to take effect in 2026. Unveiled by Chair Paul Atkins on December 2, the framework offers a 12- to 24-month compliance buffer for eligible projects, allowing them to operate without full S-1 registration during this period. This initiative, part of 'Project Crypto,' aims to replace ad hoc enforcement with a structured compliance sandbox. Under the new policy, entities must engage in real-time on-chain monitoring in exchange for lighter pre-market approval requirements. The framework is designed to integrate DeFi, DAOs, and stablecoins into the mainstream financial system, providing a more predictable and structured compliance model for the crypto industry.