In a huge development for the cryptocurrency industry, Paul Atkins has officially been sworn in as Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Known for his pro-crypto stance, Atkins’ appointment is being hailed as the beginning of a new era for digital asset regulation in the United States.
This marks a return to the SEC for Chairman Atkins, who previously served as a Commissioner from 2002 to 2008 under President George W. Bush. During that time, he was known for championing transparency, consistency, and the use of cost-benefit analysis in regulatory decision-making—principles that many hope he will now apply to modern crypto policy.
The industry has been eagerly awaiting his arrival. While Acting Chair Hester Peirce and interim leader Mark Uyeda have made strides—particularly in fostering transparency and holding crypto roundtables—Atkins is expected to bring greater momentum and authority to the agency’s crypto-related efforts.
“As I return to the SEC, I am pleased to join with my fellow Commissioners and the agency’s dedicated professionals to advance its mission to facilitate capital formation; maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and protect investors,” Atkins said.
He added, “ Together we will work to ensure that the U.S. is the best and most secure place in the world to invest and do business.”
Under Peirce’s leadership, the SEC has already made headway, dropping several high-profile cases and providing new guidance around crypto mining, stablecoins, and meme coins. However, areas like NFTs and token classification remain complex and unresolved. With Atkins now in charge, insiders expect swift movement toward a standardized “token test” to determine whether a digital asset should be classified as a security.
