SEC Chairman Paul Atkins Pushes for Crypto Innovation Amid Regulatory Overhaul
In a series of recent statements, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins has positioned cryptocurrency as a top priority for the agency, emphasizing the need for regulatory harmony and innovation-friendly policies. With Bitcoin surpassing new all-time highs and the crypto market capitalization exceeding $4.3 trillion, Atkins’ comments signal a potential shift toward a more supportive framework for digital assets in the United States.
Atkins Declares Crypto ‘Job One’ in Joint SEC-CFTC Efforts
During a joint roundtable with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on September 29, 2025, Atkins underscored the urgency of addressing crypto regulations. “Crypto is job one,” he stated, highlighting the SEC’s commitment to fostering innovation after years of what he described as regulatory repression. He elaborated that the previous four years had pushed innovation abroad, and the agency is now focused on reversing that trend. “As you know, we’ve had four years, at least, of repression of that industry, and with the result of pushing things abroad, rather than having innovation being done,” Atkins said during a panel discussion.
Atkins praised the collaboration with CFTC Acting Chairman Caroline Pham, describing their joint efforts as “full-speed ahead.” He emphasized the need for the two agencies to work in lockstep to create seamless borders between securities and commodities oversight. “Our two agencies must work in lockstep… What matters is building a framework where our agencies coordinate seamlessly,” he told attendees at the SEC headquarters. This harmonization aims to allow crypto firms and applications to operate efficiently across regulatory domains without undue friction.
Advancing the ‘Innovation Exemption’ Despite Challenges
Atkins has repeatedly advocated for an “innovation exemption” to encourage crypto firms to develop new products under SEC oversight. In a Fox Business interview on September 23, 2025, he outlined plans for rulemaking in the coming months. “We’re trying to give the marketplace some kind of stable platform upon which they can introduce new products,” Atkins explained. “We’ll be doing rulemaking in the coming months. We’re looking for an innovation exemption to try to get that in place by year-end.”
Despite an ongoing U.S. government shutdown hampering progress, Atkins remains optimistic about formalizing the exemption by the end of 2025 or early 2026. “We’ll see where that goes, but I have confidence [we’ll] be able to do it,” he said, acknowledging that the shutdown has “hamstrung” the agency’s rulemaking capabilities. He stressed the importance of welcoming innovators to the U.S. to prevent them from fleeing to foreign jurisdictions. “That’s one of the top priorities to try to get that because I want to be welcoming to innovators and have them feel like they can do something here in the United States, so that they don’t have to flee to some foreign jurisdiction.”
Atkins also expressed support for congressional action on crypto legislation, such as the stablecoin-focused GENIUS Act and broader market structure bills. “I’m looking forward to congress acting on this,” he noted, while affirming that the SEC can advance policies independently if needed. In response to President Donald Trump’s push for a market structure bill by year-end, Atkins remarked, “We’ll see how that goes,” adding that he remains optimistic.
Focus on Asset Tokenization and Future Priorities
Looking ahead, Atkins highlighted asset tokenization as a key area of focus for the SEC, describing its potential as “pretty much endless.” However, he cautioned that establishing regulatory guardrails could take “a year or two.” This aligns with his broader vision of promoting dynamic capital markets while ensuring investor protection.
He dismissed speculation about a potential merger between the SEC and CFTC as “fanciful,” preferring instead to emphasize coordination without structural changes.
Who is Paul Atkins?
Paul S. Atkins is an American businessman and former SEC Commissioner who has served as the 34th Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission since April 2025. Before his current role, Atkins was a commissioner at the SEC from 2002 to 2008, where he advocated for better transparency, consistency, and the use of cost-benefit analysis in regulatory decisions. He began his career as a lawyer in New York, specializing in corporate transactions for U.S. and foreign clients. Prior to founding Patomak Global Partners, a consulting firm, Atkins served as chief of staff and counselor to former SEC Chairmen. Known for his pro-innovation stance, Atkins has been instrumental in shifting the SEC toward more supportive policies for emerging technologies like cryptocurrencies.
Recent Tweet from Paul Atkins
On his official X account (@SECPaulSAtkins), Atkins recently shared his vision for U.S. leadership in crypto. In a post on September 26, 2025, he wrote: “Under President Trump, we’re going to Make IPOs Great Again, cement the U.S. as the crypto capital of the world, and return the agency to its core mission.” This statement reflects his ongoing commitment to positioning the United States as a global hub for digital asset innovation.
Atkins’ proactive approach could herald a new era for crypto in the U.S., potentially boosting adoption and investment as the market continues its upward trajectory. However, challenges like the government shutdown and legislative hurdles remain key factors to watch in the coming months.