Atkins sworn in as SEC chairman amid rising demand for clear crypto rules
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized the urgent need for regulatory clarity in the cryptocurrency sector during remarks at the swearing-in of new SEC Chairman Paul Atkins on Tuesday.
“He’s the perfect man to lead this agency at a time when crypto innovators are urgently in need of—and they want so badly—regulatory certainty and clear rules of the road,” Trump said at the White House ceremony.
Atkins, a former SEC commissioner known for his market-friendly approach, was appointed as the new head of the Securities and Exchange Commission following a series of leadership changes under Trump’s administration. His swearing-in comes at a time of increased tension between crypto businesses and federal regulators, particularly in the wake of lawsuits and enforcement actions under previous SEC leadership.
The crypto industry has been calling for a standardized and predictable regulatory framework that would allow innovation to flourish while ensuring consumer protection. Trump’s comments suggest that his administration may shift toward a more cooperative stance with digital asset firms, with Atkins expected to play a central role in drafting new guidelines.
Investors and industry leaders welcomed the remarks, viewing them as a potential signal of a more stable operating environment for crypto exchanges, asset issuers, and decentralized finance platforms. Market analysts noted that Trump’s push for clarity could attract both institutional capital and broader retail interest, especially amid global competition for blockchain development leadership.
The statement also follows increased volatility in crypto markets tied to broader economic concerns and U.S. monetary policy uncertainty. Calls for regulatory reform have intensified as crypto adoption grows and new blockchain applications continue to emerge.
