Congress pushes to make fintech oversight offices permanent at SEC, CFTC

Congress pushes to make fintech oversight offices permanent at SEC, CFTC
A new House measure would enshrine FinHub and LabCFTC as permanent fixtures, deepening ties with financial technology sector.
JUN 12, 2025

A bill introduced in the House of Representatives on June 3 would establish permanent offices within the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to support oversight and engagement with financial technology companies. 

H.R. 3690, titled the Securing Innovation in Financial Regulation Act, was introduced by Representative Frank Lucas and referred to the House Committee on Financial Services and, additionally, to the Committee on Agriculture. 

The bill would codify the Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology—known as FinHub—within the SEC. Under the proposed legislation, the commission would be required to establish FinHub as a formal committee no later than 180 days after enactment. FinHub would serve as a resource on emerging financial technologies, engage with market participants, and facilitate communication with companies developing financial innovations. Its members would be drawn from divisions including Trading and Markets, Corporate Finance, and Investment Management. 

The bill mandates that FinHub submit an annual summary of engagement activities to the Commission by October 31 each year, which would be included in the Commission’s annual report to Congress. These reports must not contain confidential information. 

The bill would also codify LabCFTC as a permanent office within the CFTC. According to the text, LabCFTC would promote responsible financial technology innovation, serve as an information platform for the Commission, and provide outreach to fintech innovators. Its Director, appointed by the Commission, would report directly to the Commission. 

Among LabCFTC’s stated responsibilities: advising on rulemaking, providing internal education, engaging with academia and professionals, and maintaining records of public engagements. LabCFTC would be required to submit annual reports by October 31, detailing its activities, including the number of meetings with outside parties, general discussion topics, steps taken to improve Commission services, and any recommendations made to the Commission. 

Both agencies would be expected to implement the provisions of the bill, including required reporting and recordkeeping systems, within 180 days of the bill’s enactment. 

Related Topics:
SEC, FINRA partnership necessary to 'keep a pulse on the market'

Latest News

Workers are financially drowning and retirement savings is a major red flag
Workers are financially drowning and retirement savings is a major red flag

Transamerica Institute survey reveals a stark divide between employer confidence and workers' financial reality.

SEC corporate enforcement hits multi-decade low as agency refocuses on fraud
SEC corporate enforcement hits multi-decade low as agency refocuses on fraud

Just five actions were started in the first half of fiscal 2026, a new analysis finds.

Beyond the Business: Why Advisors Must Help Owners Separate Wealth from Identity
Beyond the Business: Why Advisors Must Help Owners Separate Wealth from Identity

For business owners, the company is often more than an income source. It becomes their largest asset, their retirement plan, and in many cases, part of their identity. Advisors who understand that dynamics can deliver far greater value than traditional financial planning alone

Ex-Edward Jones advisor gets three-year prison sentence for stealing from widow
Ex-Edward Jones advisor gets three-year prison sentence for stealing from widow

John S. Winslow, 57, was indicted just over a year ago for his scheme to steal from an elderly client.

Vestmark, Hamachi push AI further for advisor portfolio intelligence
Vestmark, Hamachi push AI further for advisor portfolio intelligence

Hamachi's new model portfolio partnership and an industry-first solution from Vestmark join the growing wave of AI tools for wealth managers.

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

SPONSORED Durability over scale: What actually defines a great advisory firm

Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline