In his first public remarks as the new chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Paul Atkins made it clear that change is coming to the crypto industry. Speaking at the SEC’s crypto roundtable in Washington, D.C., Atkins directly criticized the previous administration’s approach, stating it had created an environment of “uncertainty” that stifled innovation.
“Innovation, unfortunately, has been stifled for the last several years due to market and regulatory uncertainty that unfortunately the SEC has fostered,” Atkins said.
A Shift Toward Regulatory Clarity
Atkins emphasized the importance of a “rational, fit-for-purpose framework” for regulating digital assets, promising a new chapter for the crypto industry. He pledged to collaborate with Congress and President Donald Trump’s administration to build a regulatory system that promotes both innovation and risk mitigation.
This approach contrasts sharply with that of his predecessor, Gary Gensler, whose tenure at the SEC was marked by aggressive enforcement actions against major crypto players like Coinbase and Binance. Under interim chair Mark Uyeda, the agency had already begun walking back this stance, settling cases and ending several high-profile investigations, including its long-running lawsuit against Ripple.
Building a New Framework
Atkins’ remarks came during the SEC’s third crypto roundtable titled “Know Your Custodian: Key Considerations for Crypto Custody,” part of a broader initiative to gather industry feedback. The SEC plans to use insights from these discussions to craft regulations that will provide the crypto market with the stability it has long demanded.
Atkins is no stranger to the SEC, having previously served as a commissioner from 2002 to 2008 under President George W. Bush. Now back as chairman, he reiterated his commitment to the SEC’s core mission: facilitating capital formation, maintaining fair and efficient markets, and protecting investors.
“As I return to the SEC, I am pleased to join with my fellow Commissioners and the agency’s dedicated professionals to advance its mission,” Atkins said. “Together we will work to ensure that the U.S. is the best and most secure place in the world to invest and do business.”
The crypto industry will be watching closely as Atkins moves from words to action in shaping the future of digital asset regulation.
