Paul Atkins Returns to SEC Helm as Trump Reasserts Influence Over Agency Watchdog

Paul Atkins was officially sworn in as the 34th Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday, bringing a crypto-friendly approach that contrasts with his predecessor’s aggressive enforcement strategy.Atkins In a testimony delivered before his Senate Exactly 52 Republicans voted for his nomination, while 44 Democrats opposed. Atkins’ private sector leadership includes founding Patomak Global Partners in 2009, developing standards for the digital asset industry. Atkins said he’d resign from Patomak within 90 days of confirmation.Late last month, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Unclear regulation “creates uncertainty and inhibits innovation,” Atkins told the Senate. He promised to guide the SEC “through a rational, coherent, and principled approach.”Atkins replaces Gary Gensler, who Previously acting Chair Mark Uyeda and Commissioner Hester Peirce have already Criticizing Biden-era regulations as “unclear, overly politicized, complicated, and burdensome,” Atkins has signaled a deregulatory approach to the market.Financial disclosures for his candidacy Atkins has a combined net worth of roughly $327 million, including President Trump’s SEC picks, beyond Atkins, show a consistent pattern of selecting individuals with strong Wall Street connections and a track record of handling financial industry matters.In his first term, Trump picked Jay Clayton, who served at Sullivan & Cromwell, a prominent law firm with deep ties to Wall Street. At the law firm, Clayton represented top financial firms, including Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Barclays, Bear Stearns, and UBS.The Atkins-led SEC now faces decisions on over “Gonna be a wild year,” Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Balchunas Edited by