Bitcoin Remains Stable: Investors Await New Steps in U.S. Crypto Regulations

Bitcoin's price remained virtually unchanged on Wednesday as investors assessed new regulatory initiatives from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Treasury Department, as well as a meeting with cryptocurrency sector representatives planned at the White House. In parallel, uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Iran relations continued to weigh on the market, alongside caution regarding heightened risks to global markets.

Bitcoin rose 0.4% to reach $64,416.4. Despite the modest gain, the cryptocurrency remains under pressure as rising yields on U.S. Treasury bonds push investors toward lower-risk assets.

One of the market's main focal points is the SEC's proposal of new rules related to crypto assets. The agency unveiled a framework on Tuesday that would allow certain crypto companies and token offerings to potentially be exempted from existing securities regulations. The proposal also includes a so-called "safe harbor" for certain crypto assets if they meet defined conditions.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting representatives from the cryptocurrency industry at the White House. The meeting will also be attended by SEC Chair Paul Atkins and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chair Mike Selig. Against this backdrop, investors are awaiting additional signals about Washington's future crypto policy.

The SEC's new initiative is particularly significant given that efforts to create a clearer regulatory environment for the crypto industry have stalled in Congress. The agency's proposal, currently in the public comment phase, offers certain crypto companies a simplified path to raise capital.

At the same time, cryptocurrencies are affected by a broader "risk-off" sentiment in financial markets. Rising yields on U.S. Treasury securities, along with geopolitical uncertainty, are pushing investors toward more cautious positions. In such an environment, Bitcoin, as a relatively high-risk asset, frequently faces additional pressure.