New US SEC Chair Paul Atkins Calls for Clear Regulations for Crypto Sector

SEC Signals Softer Stance on Digital Assets Under New Leadership

In a major policy shift, the newly appointed Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Paul Atkins, emphasized the need for clear regulatory guidelines for the cryptocurrency sector. Speaking at the SEC’s crypto roundtable on Friday—his first public remarks since being sworn in earlier this week—Atkins criticized the agency’s previous approach, stating that it had stifled innovation by fostering “regulatory uncertainty.”

“Market participants engaging in this technology deserve clear regulatory rules of the road,” Atkins said, highlighting the importance of structured oversight for the rapidly growing digital asset industry.

SEC Crypto Policy Under Atkins: A New Direction

Atkins, who has worked closely with cryptocurrency firms in recent years, is widely expected to adopt a more industry-friendly stance compared to his predecessor, Gary Gensler. Gensler had prioritized strict enforcement, citing what he described as rampant noncompliance with US securities laws across the crypto sector.

Under Atkins’ leadership, the SEC appears poised to move away from aggressive enforcement strategies and instead focus on developing new, tailored regulations for digital assets. Even before Atkins assumed the chairmanship, the agency had started shifting its posture by pausing or dropping several crypto enforcement cases.

The crypto roundtable, launched under the new Republican-led SEC, aims to reassess how existing securities laws apply to digital assets—a long-standing point of contention between the sector and regulators.

SEC Remains Firm on Broader Compliance Issues

While signaling a more supportive approach to cryptocurrency regulation, Atkins reaffirmed that the SEC would continue to enforce compliance standards across all sectors. When questioned about potential actions against Chinese companies amid escalating US-China trade tensions, Atkins made it clear: the agency would act decisively against companies failing to adhere to US laws.

This dual approach—seeking to foster innovation in emerging technologies like crypto while maintaining strict compliance standards elsewhere—suggests a broader recalibration of the SEC’s priorities under Atkins’ leadership.

The crypto industry and market participants will be closely watching how this new regulatory philosophy unfolds in the coming months.