In his fourth day at the job, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins said he anticipates “huge benefits” from digital assets and said he plans to work with lawmakers to create a regulatory framework for crypto.
“I look forward to engaging with market participants and working with colleagues in President Trump’s administration and Congress to establish a rational fit for purpose framework for crypto assets,” said Atkins, who spoke Friday at the SEC’s crypto roundtable for the first time in public as chair of the agency.
Atkins also said he expects “huge benefits” from digital assets, including mitigating risk and cutting costs.
Atkins spoke at the crypto task force roundtable, titled “Know Your Custodian: Key Considerations for Crypto Custody” which is the third of five roundtable discussions held over the past few weeks at the SEC’s headquarters in Washington.
Atkins was officially sworn in as SEC chairman earlier this week after being nominated by President Donald Trump and later confirmed by the Senate. Atkins founded the consulting firm Patomak Global Partners in 2009, and the firm has clients including banks, crypto exchanges and DeFi platforms, according to its website. He was appointed by former President George W. Bush as an SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008.
Atkins has said he would make establishing a clear regulatory framework for digital assets a top priority for the SEC. The agency has taken a significantly different approach to crypto compared to years past under the Biden administration.
Former SEC Chair Gary Gensler took a less friendly approach to the crypto industry in asserting that most cryptocurrencies were securities and bringing charges against large crypto platforms for not registering with the agency. Since Gensler’s exit in January, the SEC has rescinded controversial crypto accounting guidance, dropped enforcement actions against major crypto industry players and created a crypto task force, which is leading the roundtables.
Atkins took a few digs at the SEC’s previous approach to regulating crypto under the Biden administration.
“Innovation, unfortunately, has been stifled for the last several years due to market and regulatory uncertainty that unfortunately the SEC has fostered,” Atkins said Friday.
The crypto task force has led two roundtable discussions, with the latest focused on crypto trading.
© 2025 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange
Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange
Stay ahead of the market by turning news insights into trading opportunities. With Coinhub Exchange, you can seamlessly buy, sell, and manage your digital assets, all in one secure platform. Take advantage of real-time market insights, deep liquidity, and fast execution for your favorite cryptocurrencies. Don’t just read about it — trade crypto now!
Disclaimer
The content of this article shown by Coinhub News, powered by The Block, is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Coinhub News and its affiliates are not a licensed financial advisor, legal advisor, broker, or tax advisor, and ... should not be considered as professional advice or a recommendation to engage in any specific investment, legal decision, or financial transaction. Cryptocurrency markets are highly speculative and volatile. Readers should perform their own independent research and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial or legal decisions. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Company of its affiliates. Additionally, the Company does not make any representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, timeliness, reliability, or completeness of any information in this article. By accessing this content, you acknowledge that any reliance on the information contained in this article is solely at your own risk. The Company is not responsible for any financial losses, legal disputes, or other damages that may arise from reliance on this content or from any investment or legal decisions based on the information provided. Investing in cryptocurrencies involves substantial risks, including the risk of losing your entire investment, and you should carefully consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances.
Read more
