- A coalition of major crypto firms, including Consensys and Kraken, has asked the SEC to issue clear guidance on crypto staking.
- Amid regulatory uncertainty, Bitcoin Pepe, CartelFi, and PepeX are emerging as meme-powered ecosystems offering community-led utility, yield opportunities, and AI-driven token launches.
The battle for regulatory clarity in the US crypto sector is heating up once again. This time, it is over crypto staking, the backbone of proof-of-stake blockchain networks. A coalition has asked the US Securities and Exchange Commission to provide clear, principles-based guidelines on the legal treatment of staking services.
The coalition includes crypto heavyweights such as Consensys, Kraken, Galaxy Digital, and Ava Labs. This coalition is coordinated under the Crypto Council for Innovation and the Proof of Stake Alliance (POSA). Their open letter, submitted May 1, 2025, provided several arguments against the SEC. They said staking is a core network function and not an investment contract. Hence, it should not fall under securities law.
“The ask is straightforward,” the letter says. “We want principles-based guidance that gives stakeholders legal confidence and enables growth without compromising user safety.”
At the heart of the debate is whether crypto staking should be treated as securities. Crypto staking involves locking up tokens to validate blockchain transactions and earn rewards. The industry says no, while the government commission in the previous administration treated it as securities. At the same time, the SEC has yet to issue a formal ruling but is under growing pressure. They are expected to follow the lead of other jurisdictions that have embraced staking with clear, favorable guidelines.
According to one of their demands on X, “Staking isn’t niche. It’s the backbone of the decentralized internet. It secures networks, supports decentralization, and empowers builders to create the next generation of applications on PoS blockchains.” “The SEC has a chance to recognize staking service providers for what they actually offer: technology services, not financial services,” they added.
Implications for choosing the best crypto to buy now
This regulatory uncertainty has implications for anyone looking for the best crypto to buy now. As the legal outlook on staking improves, PoS ecosystems could see a resurgence in both retail and institutional interest.
But beyond Ethereum, Solana, or Avalanche, many forward-looking investors are now turning their attention to other projects. Some of these projects combine token utility, community creativity, and viral meme dynamics.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>5/ What’s the ask? It’s simple. The industry wants clear, principles-based guidance for staking and staking services akin to PoW mining. If they do this, it protects users and enables growth.</p>— Crypto Council for Innovation (@crypto_council) <a href=”https://twitter.com/crypto_council/status/1917584569349595593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>April 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Bitcoin Pepe, CartelFi, and PepeX: Building new Web3 technologies
While regulators debate the finer points of staking mechanics, Web3 builders are creating new and excellent technologies. And nowhere is that more visible than in the rise of Bitcoin Pepe, CartelFi, and PepeX.
Bitcoin Pepe: Infrastructure for meme capital on Bitcoin
Built on the Bitcoin layer 2, Bitcoin Pepe isn’t just another meme token. It is the base layer of meme liquidity on BTC itself. In a world where Ethereum has long been the default playground for memes, Bitcoin Pepe changes the narrative by enabling meme markets directly on Bitcoin rails.
How? Through specialized meme liquidity pools that offer full price exposure and are supercharged with Colombian-grade APYs. This is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the token’s high-yield LP mechanics. All platform fees (up to 100%) are used to automatically buy back and burn Bitcoin Pepe, ensuring constant deflationary pressure and aligned incentives. It also comes with solid staking options, offering up to 10,000% APY.
For those betting on Bitcoin’s long-term dominance and the staying power of meme tokens, Bitcoin Pepe might just be the perfect hybrid. Importantly, the presale of this project has been very successful, raising more than $7.5m. Users can participate in the presale and pay using ETH, USDT, or USDC. Investors can buy the presale at the current price of $0.031 before the price increases.
CartelFi: Making memes productive
Next up is CartelFi, a platform that takes meme coins beyond speculation and turns them into yield-bearing financial assets. Think of CartelFi as the DeFi backend of the meme world, offering structured products, vaults, and leveraged LP strategies tailored specifically for meme tokens.
Its mission is simple. CartelFi makes memes productive. Through CartelFi, users can deposit their favorite meme tokens, such as PENGU, BONK, or PEPE, into smart strategies that auto-compound, hedge, or arbitrage volatility. For degens who want more than just hopium, CartelFi is a bet on the financialization of meme culture.
There are only 66 days left for the CARTFI presale to end, with more than $1.4m raised so far. SolidProof has already audited the project, and investors can purchase at the current price of $0.0408 before the price goes up.
PepeX: AI-powered token launches for the long tail of ideas
PepeX is a permissionless token launcher that lets anyone, anywhere, tokenize any idea. Moreover, it comes equipped with an AI growth engine called AKIRA, which automates marketing, virality, and scaling.
Here’s how it works. Anyone can mint a new token using PepeX’s intuitive interface. AKIRA then generates meme assets, coordinates Twitter campaigns, and drives social sentiment. Moreover, the token is launched with fair, community-first tokenomics. 95% goes to the community and 5% to the founders.
This means that every token born on PepeX has a chance to become the next PEPE or BONK, but with actual tooling and community alignment behind it. Its presale is also going well with over $1.8m raised, which is quite impressive. Investors can buy at the current price of $0.0255.
Why these three projects matter now
As regulatory uncertainty clouds legacy tokens, Bitcoin Pepe, CartelFi, and PepeX represent a bold shift toward permissionless, community-driven growth. They are built for a world where memes have value, where DeFi meets culture, and where anyone with an idea can launch a token and grow a movement.
So if you’re wondering what’s the best crypto to buy now, especially in the midst of shifting regulatory tides, these three projects might offer something that no amount of SEC guidance ever could. Each of them is decentralized and has exciting technologies for the future.
