Priority Open Recommendations: Securities and Exchange Commission

Summary

What GAO Found In May 2025, GAO identified one priority recommendation for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) related to blockchain technology. Specifically, GAO recommended that SEC and other regulators jointly establish an ongoing coordination mechanism to identify and address risks posed by blockchain-related products and services. As of June 2026, SEC has not yet fully implemented this recommendation. Addressing GAO's open priority recommendation in this area could help SEC identify and respond to blockchain-related risks in a timely manner, thereby directly supporting SEC's mission. Why GAO Did This Study Priority open recommendations are the GAO recommendations that warrant priority attention from heads of key departments or agencies because their implementation could save large amounts of money; improve congressional and/or executive branch decision-making on major issues; eliminate mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or make progress toward addressing a high risk or duplication issue, among other benefits. Since 2015, GAO has sent letters to selected agencies to highlight the importance of implementing such recommendations. For more information, contact Daniel Garcia-Diaz at garciadiazd@gao.gov.