A revolutionary shift could be coming to the U.S. financial system that will transform Wall Street forever. Under the leadership of Paul Atkins, the SEC has launched “Project Crypto,” a bold plan that could completely change how the U.S. handles crypto, stocks, and finance in the digital age.
Therefore, analysts at Bernstein say this project is the biggest and most forward-looking vision ever put forward by a U.S. regulator for the crypto space.
Making America a Blockchain Leader
For years, U.S. crypto companies have struggled with unclear and confusing rules. Because of this, many businesses chose to move their operations overseas where regulations were easier to follow.
But now, things may finally change. With the launch of Project Crypto, the SEC wants to bring this innovation back to the U.S.
Atkins made this announcement during a powerful speech titled “American Leadership in the Digital Finance Revolution.” He explained that just like past financial milestones from the founding of the New York Stock Exchange in 1792 to the rise of electronic trading in the 1990s, it’s now time for the U.S. to evolve into the blockchain age.
The idea is simple, allow American firms to issue tokenized stocks and bonds, and let platforms like Coinbase, Robinhood, and Circle act as bridges between traditional and on-chain markets.
Clearer Rules, Simpler Access
Unlike the old SEC approach under Gary Gensler, Atkins believes most crypto assets are not securities. He plans to end the confusion by dividing digital assets into clear groups, like digital commodities, stablecoins, and collectibles.
The project also supports creating tokenized securities in the U.S., avoiding offshore routes.
Even more exciting, licensed broker-dealers will soon be able to offer both crypto and traditional products under one roof without needing approvals from both state and federal agencies.
DeFi Meets Regulation
On top of it, the SEC also plans to allow decentralized finance (DeFi) tools like automated market makers and onchain lending to work legally within the system. This opens the door to 24/7 trading, instant settlements, and cross-asset lending, all inside a regulated environment.
America Wants to Lead Again
Paul Atkins ended his speech with a clear message: America won’t just follow the digital finance revolution, it plans to lead it. As Bernstein’s analysts said, it’s time to move from “online” to “onchain.”
