SEC Leadership Shift Brings New Hope for Crypto Industry

A major shift is underway at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as newly sworn-in Chair Paul Atkins signals a friendlier stance toward the crypto industry.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is preparing for a major shift in leadership as newly sworn-in Chair Paul Atkins brings a fresh perspective and a friendlier stance toward the crypto industry.

At the SEC’s third “Crypto Task Force” roundtable on Friday, Atkins highlighted the potential of blockchain innovation and expressed criticism of the agency’s past handling of the sector.

According to Atkins, blockchain technology could dramatically improve efficiency, cut costs, and increase transparency across the financial system.

However, he also stressed the need for clear, supportive regulation, arguing that previous uncertainty had stifled progress and innovation.

This marks a clear departure from the administration of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, whose tenure was marked by aggressive enforcement actions against major crypto firms such as Binance, Kraken, Coinbase, Ripple, and Uniswap Labs.

Since Gensler’s resignation in January, those cases have been closed, signaling the dawn of a new era for crypto regulation in the U.S.

Atkins invited industry participants to share their feedback on the suitability of existing securities laws, questioning whether frameworks like custody rules or broker-dealer regulations require adjustments to better integrate crypto assets and blockchain advancements.output: A major shift is underway at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as newly sworn-in Chair Paul Atkins brings a fresh perspective and a friendlier stance toward the crypto industry.

Speaking at the SEC’s third “Crypto Task Force” roundtable on Friday, Atkins highlighted the potential of blockchain innovation and expressed criticism of the agency’s past handling of the sector.

According to Atkins, blockchain technology could dramatically improve efficiency, cut costs, and increase transparency across the financial system.

However, he stressed the need for clear, supportive regulation, arguing that previous uncertainty had stifled progress and innovation.

This marks a clear departure from the administration of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, whose tenure was marked by aggressive enforcement actions against major crypto firms such as Binance, Kraken, Coinbase, Ripple, and Uniswap Labs.

Since Gensler’s resignation in January, those cases have been closed, signaling the dawn of a new era for crypto regulation in the U.S.

Atkins invited industry participants to share their feedback on the suitability of existing securities laws, questioning whether frameworks like custody rules or broker-dealer regulations require adjustments to better integrate crypto assets and blockchain advancements.