Paul Atkins to Transform SEC’s Approach to Crypto Regulation

Paul Atkins was sworn in as the new chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, after being nominated by President Donald Trump in January and confirmed by the Senate on April 9, 2025. While awaiting Senate approval, the SEC introduced several initiatives to support the crypto industry, including creating a dedicated group to monitor developments in digital assets and holding roundtables with industry leaders. With Atkins now officially at the helm, many expect even greater improvements for the sector. Known for his business-friendly approach and experience in the digital asset space, Atkins is anticipated to further advance regulatory clarity and innovation within the crypto industry.Paul Atkins confirmed that his top priority in the near future will be to create a clear regulatory framework for digital assets. He made the statement during the official swearing-in ceremony.”A top priority of my chairmanship will be to provide a firm regulatory foundation for digital assets through a rational, coherent, and principled approach,” said Atkins during his official swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday.During Gary Gensler’s tenure, the SEC created a lot of problems for the cryptocurrency industry. In particular, the regulator required blockchain companies such as Ripple to comply with the rules created for the securities industry, which, needless to say, caused many difficulties.As a result, non-compliance with the existing regulatory framework led to lawsuits against developers. Sometimes companies even ceased their operations because they were unable to pay legal fees and fines.Paul Atkins is the new chairman of the Securities Commission. Photo: Evan Vucci/Associated PressDuring his speech, Atkins made it clear that the approach of the Securities Commission to the crypto sphere will be completely different. Accordingly, developers will have a reason to launch their business exactly in the territory of the United States, the pluses of which are definitely the advanced judicial system. He continues:”At the helm of the SEC, I can confidently say it is a new day,” Atkins said. “It’s time for the SEC to end its waywardness and return to its core mission that Congress set for it: investor protection, fair, orderly, and efficient markets and capital formation.”In general, Paul Atkins’ remarks are consistent with his previous statements at the Senate hearing in March. At that time, he noted that he would prioritize the establishment of norms for the operation of digital assets.Experts consider Atkins to be committed to the cryptocurrency industry given his previous statements. In particular, Paul repeatedly spoke about the need to promote the normal operation of the blockchain industry, which would benefit the U.S. economy and the country’s position in the international arena.The SEC Commissioner Hester Pierce shared her expectations of the SEC chairman. She is known for her longtime support of the industry and her position as a leader in the aforementioned cryptocurrency group within the Commission.“He cares about economic growth and how the markets that we regulate can support economic growth,” Peirce told Cointelegraph. “I would love the chance to work with [Atkins] on trying to reorient the agency so that it does take into consideration all aspects of our mission.”In addition, Hester Peirce has no doubts about the integrity of the new head of the SEC. This is how she responded to questions from lawmakers during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee.At the time, they wanted to know about Atkins’ ties to the cryptocurrency industry and possible conflicts of interest in connection with the appointment. Peirce continues:“I expect him to continue to be ethical. I have worked with him and I deeply respect his integrity.”“I think we are all trying to come to the right decision – to bring clarity to the cryptocurrency sphere, to provide clear regulation.”The conditions are not bad for the cryptocurrency industry right now. First of all, gold has reached a historic high, which previously led to the growth of BTC for 100–150 days.Also, the situation with Trump’s tariffs on imports became clearer, which turned out to be a serious tool to pressure other countries for better trade conditions for the US. The SEC also got a new chairman who has supported the coin industry for many years.The only factor of uncertainty remains the US Federal Reserve’s strategy regarding the base interest rate. Although inflation in the country continues to decline, bankers are in no hurry to reduce pressure on the economy despite Trump’s position.However, the above conditions will also be enough for cryptocurrencies to grow, as confirmed by analysts at Standard Chartered and Intellectia AI.In their opinion, a combination of demand for Bitcoin ETFs from institutional investors and the activity of traders looking to hedge against macroeconomic risks will end with BTC jumping to 200k by the end of 2025.Here’s a relevant comment from Intellectia AI chief investment strategist Fei Chen.“While the forecast is optimistic, it’s also conditional. Any black swan—from a major regulatory clampdown to a geopolitical event—can disrupt trajectories.”According to the experts, the ability to use the first cryptocurrency in real life will determine its popularity.”Despite growing institutional interest, Bitcoin’s long-term resilience won’t be secured by balance sheet optics alone—it depends on real usage. That means people actually transacting, building, and experimenting on the network—not just holding BTC as a speculative asset.”
—Spencer Yang, Fractal Bitcoin contributorPaul Atkins’ appointment as SEC chair opens a new window of opportunity for the crypto market. His commitment to clear and fair regulation could make the U.S. one of the most favorable regions for crypto companies. If his promises translate into real action, both Bitcoin and the broader industry could see a powerful boost for further growth.