TLDR:Acting CFTC chair said the agency may recognize foreign crypto platforms that follow strong frameworks like the EU’s MiCA.The CFTC reaffirmed its foreign boards of trade framework, which already lets some offshore platforms serve U.S. traders.Non-U.S. exchanges could access U.S. clients by registering as FBOTs instead of becoming full designated contract markets.The remarks signal potential shifts in how cross-border crypto trading will be handled under U.S. regulations.The U.S. derivatives regulator may be ready to shift its approach to foreign crypto exchanges. A senior official raised the possibility of recognizing non-U.S. platforms that follow clear, crypto-specific rules abroad. That idea puts attention on the European Union’s MiCA framework, which already sets out strict requirements. The move would matter for cross-border access, especially for platforms looking to reach American traders. The comments come as the regulator revisits its treatment of offshore exchanges.Crypto Rules Abroad Could Influence U.S. AccessActing CFTC Chair Caroline Pham said the agency is reviewing how foreign exchanges fit into U.S. oversight. In a recent speech, she explained that crypto platforms already regulated abroad may not need to start from scratch in America. Instead, they could use established pathways that recognize foreign regulatory systems.NEW: In a recent speech, Acting CFTC Chair @CarolineDPham said the agency is exploring whether foreign crypto trading platforms that follow robust, crypto-specific rules, such as the EU’s MiCA framework, could be recognized under U.S. cross-border regulations.It follows the… pic.twitter.com/ft1LAmpVrh— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) September 9, 2025She pointed to the EU’s MiCA framework as an example of rules designed with crypto in mind. If accepted, those standards could count under U.S. cross-border requirements. That would mean exchanges following MiCA may be able to serve U.S. traders more easily.The remarks followed a renewed focus on the CFTC’s framework for foreign boards of trade. That system already allows non-U.S. exchanges to provide direct access to American clients. To do that, they must register with the agency as FBOTs.Under current law, exchanges taking that route do not need to qualify as full designated contract markets. That difference reduces barriers and has already opened doors for certain regulated offshore exchanges.CFTC Framework and Crypto Price Market AccessThe CFTC has stressed that any foreign access still requires oversight. Registration as a foreign board of trade means the agency monitors compliance with both U.S. and foreign rules. This layered approach allows traders in America to use offshore venues while keeping regulatory checks in place.The agency’s position builds on its long history of managing cross-border derivatives trading. By reaffirming its framework, the CFTC signals continuity while also leaving room for new approaches. Pham’s remarks point to crypto as a sector where existing tools may need fine-tuning.Crypto investors often track how such regulatory steps affect market access and price action. A shift toward recognizing MiCA could reduce uncertainty for exchanges planning U.S. entry. That in turn could expand choices for U.S. traders and institutional players.The post CFTC Weighs MiCA Rules in U.S. Crypto Market Access appeared first on Blockonomi.