- New SEC Chair Paul Atkins says crypto has “huge benefits” and vows to build a fair regulatory framework with Congress and Trump’s team.
- Atkins criticized the SEC’s past leadership for stifling innovation and pledged a more open, pro-crypto stance moving forward.
- The SEC’s new crypto task force is hosting roundtables to shape fresh policies, signaling a big shift from the previous administration’s crackdown.
Just four days into the gig, SEC Chair Paul Atkins is already making waves—and this time, not the hostile kind. Speaking publicly for the first time as head of the agency during a crypto roundtable on Friday, Atkins made it clear: he’s bullish on digital assets and wants to work with the industry, not against it.
“I look forward to engaging with market participants and working with colleagues in President Trump’s administration and Congress to build a framework that actually makes sense,” Atkins said at the SEC’s roundtable, cheekily titled “Know Your Custodian.”
And yeah, he didn’t hold back. Atkins said he sees huge potential in crypto, from reducing costs to managing risk better than traditional systems can.
A Not-So-Subtle Dig at the Past
The new chairman didn’t name names, but the shade at former Chair Gary Gensler was real. “Innovation’s been stuck in neutral for years,” Atkins said, blaming the SEC itself for fostering regulatory uncertainty and stifling growth in the digital asset space.
Quick rewind: Gensler’s approach was, well, let’s just say… less friendly. His team cracked down on major crypto platforms, labeled most tokens as securities, and pushed tough registration rules that didn’t sit well with the Web3 crowd. Since his departure in January, things have shifted—fast.
The SEC has already rolled back some aggressive policies, shelved lawsuits against big-name crypto players, and even formed a crypto task force. That task force has hosted a string of roundtables recently, with this one being number three out of five.
Atkins’ Crypto Resume—and What Comes Next
Before his new role, Atkins ran a consulting firm, Patomak Global Partners (yep, clients included crypto exchanges and DeFi platforms). He’s also a familiar face at the SEC, having served as commissioner back in the Bush era.
Now? He’s putting crypto regulation front and center. Unlike the previous leadership, Atkins seems to be asking the right question: How do we regulate this stuff without crushing it?
The next few roundtables will likely dig deeper into trading and custodianship, but the tone has already changed. Instead of fear and fines, Atkins’ SEC is leaning toward conversation, clarity—and maybe even cooperation.
So yeah, it’s early, but if his first few days are any sign, crypto might just have a seat at the grown-ups’ table now.
