In a significant policy address on May 20, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins signaled a major shift in how the agency will handle the evolving crypto landscape. Speaking before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, Atkins—just weeks into his leadership—outlined plans to fundamentally revamp the SEC’s approach to digital assets.
At the heart of his testimony was a clear departure from relying heavily on enforcement to shape crypto policy. Instead, Atkins emphasized the need for structured, rule-based governance developed through transparent regulatory processes.
“One of my top goals as Chair,” he stated, “is to craft a sensible and coherent regulatory framework for crypto markets—one that defines clear standards for the issuance, custody, and trading of digital assets, while continuing to hold bad actors accountable under existing laws.”
Atkins further stressed that investor protection hinges on transparency and predictability. “Defined rules help protect consumers from fraud,” he said, “and empower them to recognize illegitimate schemes that operate outside legal bounds.”
He closed by reaffirming that enforcement should serve as a tool for applying well-established rules—not a substitute for policymaking itself.
SEC Chair Paul Atkins Unveils Plans for Balanced Crypto Regulation
On May 20, newly appointed U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins laid out a bold vision for the agency’s evolving role in crypto oversight. Testifying before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, Atkins called for a smarter, more consistent regulatory strategy tailored to digital assets.
Rejecting the SEC’s previous reliance on enforcement-first tactics, Atkins signaled a pivot toward a more measured, rules-based framework. “My leadership will focus on building a logical regulatory roadmap for digital assets,” he said, “one that brings clarity to the rules governing issuance, trading, and custody—while also ensuring bad actors are held accountable.”
He emphasized that the goal isn’t to stifle innovation, but to create a fair playing field for legitimate participants in the crypto space. According to Atkins, clear, codified rules are essential for shielding investors from fraud and enabling them to distinguish legitimate projects from scams.
He concluded by noting that while enforcement remains vital, it should be rooted in existing law—not used to set policy through retroactive action.
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