SEC’s Atkins requires overhaul of ‘badly needing consideration’ crypto guidelines

Key Takeaways

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins requires a complete overview of crypto laws.
Atkins goals to determine a rational framework for crypto property throughout the US.

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins has referred to as for a sweeping reevaluation of the company’s regulatory framework governing crypto property, criticizing the present guidelines as outdated and burdensome.

🇺🇸 JUST IN: Professional-Bitcoin SEC Chair Paul Atkins, talking at in the present day’s SEC Crypto Process Pressure roundtable, said that “the present framework is in critical want of reform” in relation to Bitcoin and crypto regulation. pic.twitter.com/v8zC0kR3yZ
— Crypto Briefing (@Crypto_Briefing) April 25, 2025

Talking on the SEC’s third crypto activity power roundtable on Friday, Atkins mentioned the present method to digital asset oversight “badly wants consideration.”

“Innovation, sadly, has been stifled for the final a number of years as a result of market and regulatory uncertainty that sadly the SEC has fostered,” mentioned Atkins in his opening remarks on the roundtable.

The SEC chief pledged to collaborate with business gamers, fellow commissioners, Congress, and the Trump administration to construct “a rational match for goal framework” for digital property.

Often called an advocate for innovation, Atkin believes crypto and blockchain applied sciences might carry actual system-wide enhancements. He confused that entrepreneurs leveraging blockchain expertise to modernize the monetary system “deserve clear regulatory guidelines.”

Within the Friday roundtable, individuals targeted on the challenges registrants face when custodians of crypto property are required to adjust to federal securities legal guidelines. Atkins questioned whether or not adjustments are wanted to custody guidelines below the Change Act, the Advisors Act, or the Funding Firm Act to accommodate crypto property and blockchain expertise.

Atkins, who’s serving his third stint on the securities company, additionally expressed gratitude to Commissioners Mark Ueda and Hester Peirce.

He praised Commissioner Peirce, often known as “crypto mother,” for her “principled and tireless advocacy for common sense crypto coverage,” noting she is “definitely the suitable particular person to steer the hassle to give you a rational regulatory framework for crypto property of their markets.”

Atkins formally assumed his place as Chairman of the SEC earlier this week after being nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate.

At his official swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, the brand new SEC Chair mentioned he would prioritize establishing a clear regulatory framework for digital property. Atkins additionally reaffirmed his dedication to capital formation, market effectivity, and investor safety.

A former Wall Avenue determine and entrepreneur, Atkins is acknowledged for his deregulatory philosophy and pro-crypto stance, contrasting along with his predecessor Gary Gensler’s extra stringent regulatory method.

The SEC’s crypto activity power below Commissioner Peirce has hosted quite a few roundtables to forge a regulatory path distinct from the earlier administration’s enforcement-heavy method.

Atkins, now operating the company, is anticipated to proceed pushing for a extra innovation-friendly regulatory surroundings, with a selected deal with modernizing guidelines for digital property and blockchain applied sciences.