On July 1, 2025, the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance released a detailed statement clarifying how federal securities laws apply to crypto asset exchange-traded products (ETPs). While the statement is highly technical, its implications are profound, not only for institutional investors and traditional financial firms but also for decentralized finance (DeFi) founders, crypto innovators, and fintech entrepreneurs.

To understand why this matters, it is important to first explain what crypto asset ETPs are, why they are significant, and how this guidance reshapes the regulatory landscape for the next generation of digital asset products.

On July 15, 2025, YouTube announced a policy update that, while labeled “minor,” reflects deeper normative shifts in the governance of digital platforms. Specifically, the company renamed its longstanding “repetitious content” policy to “inauthentic content” and clarified that the policy encompasses content that is repetitive or mass-produced. Importantly, YouTube emphasized that this type of material has always been ineligible for monetization under its existing policies, which reward original and authentic contributions. The change does not affect the separate reused content policy that applies to commentary, clips, compilations, and reaction videos.

In a groundbreaking development for U.S. financial markets, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to consider cryptocurrency holdings as part of homebuyers’ asset profiles when assessing mortgage risks. Announced by FHFA Director William Pulte on June 25, 2025, this directive instructs the two government-sponsored mortgage giants to draft proposals for including crypto assets as part of borrower reserves, without requiring their conversion into U.S. dollars. Only assets held on U.S.-regulated centralized exchanges will qualify under this framework, ensuring alignment with federal compliance standards.

On July 9, 2025, SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce issued a statement titled “Enchanting, but Not Magical: A Statement on the Tokenization of Securities,” offering critical insights into how U.S. securities laws apply to blockchain-based tokenization. Just two months prior, SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins delivered the keynote at the Crypto Task Force Roundtable, outlining a vision for a more rational, innovation-friendly regulatory framework for crypto assets.

The 2025 H‑1B policy update marks a transformative moment for international founders looking to build businesses in the U.S. With self-sponsorship now permitted for majority owners, entrepreneurs can take control of their visa path. However, success requires careful planning, robust documentation, governance structures, and an attorney’s guidance.

Startups operate in a rapidly changing legal environment—from formation, funding, IP protection, contracts, to regulatory compliance. Mistakes such as improper shareholder agreements or misclassified contractors can trigger investor disputes, regulatory fines, or litigation. Legal issues delayed today compound into crises later.