Paul Atkins officially becomes SEC Chair
Paul Atkins confirmed as SEC Chair, ushering in new crypto regulatory era.
The U.S. crypto sector is cautiously optimistic after former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins was confirmed as the agency’s new chair, ending months of speculation over the regulator’s direction under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Atkins, a longtime financial policymaker, steps into the role with a mandate to reshape digital asset regulation and restore trust among market participants, reports Cointelegraph.
Atkins, confirmed by a 52–44 Senate vote on April 9, has promised to deliver a “rational, coherent and principled approach” to crypto regulation, addressing what he called an “ambiguous and non-existent” framework that is currently stifling innovation. In remarks to the Senate Banking Committee, he warned that America’s existing financial rules “inhibit investment and often punish success,” emphasizing the need for clear guardrails around digital assets. His nomination has received praise from crypto advocates and industry leaders alike. Coinbase Chief Policy Officer Faryar Shirzad hailed it as the “dawn of a new era.”
Crypto Policy Momentum Meets Budget Challenges
Atkins replaces acting chair Mark Uyeda, under whom the SEC began pulling back from high-profile crypto enforcement actions. Dismissed lawsuits involving unregistered securities sales and broker activity hinted at a more permissive regulatory posture, with the SEC quietly signaling that assets such as proof-of-work cryptocurrencies and dollar-backed stablecoins may not fall under securities laws.
Yet Atkins’ ability to advance meaningful regulatory reform may be hamstrung by ongoing cuts to the agency’s workforce. As part of President Trump’s broader government overhaul, the Department of Government Efficiency—headed by Elon Musk—plans to trim up to 15% of the SEC’s staff. Critics, including a coalition of legal scholars dubbed the “Shadow SEC,” warn that such reductions could hinder rulemaking and enforcement efforts.
Despite these challenges, industry stakeholders remain hopeful. Congressman Tom Emmer, a longtime crypto advocate, stated that Atkins’ leadership offers a chance to finally deliver the “clarity and certainty” the market demands, particularly around stablecoins and crypto market structure.
As the SEC begins a new chapter under Atkins, the industry is watching closely to see whether policy ambition can overcome bureaucratic constraints and usher in a new regulatory era for digital finance.
Recently we wrote, that in a closely contested vote, the U.S. Senate Banking Committee advanced President Donald Trump’s nominee for Securities and Exchange Commission chair, Paul Atkins, by a 13–11 margin.
