Former commissioner Paul Atkins has been sworn in as the 34th chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Reuters reported today. United States President Donald Trump appointed Atkins earlier this year, with the Senate confirming the selection just recently.
Crypto Industry Veteran Assumes Leadership Position
Paul Atkins brings significant cryptocurrency experience to his new role. Between 2017 and 2024, he co-led the “Token Alliance,” a US Chamber of Digital Commerce initiative to spur digital asset growth throughout America.
The SEC mentioned this experience in their welcome announcement, stating that “Chairman Atkins led efforts to shape best practices for the digital asset space.”
His earlier tenure as SEC Commissioner lasted from 2002 until 2008. Prior to that position, Atkins served as a consultant on investment management and securities, with an emphasis on control and risk management issues, compliance, and strategy.
🚨JUST IN: Paul Atkins was sworn into office today and has officially started his tenure as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. pic.twitter.com/J7ctI629yt
— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) April 21, 2025
New Chairman Paul Atkins Targets Regulatory Clarity
As per reports of last month’s Senate Banking Committee hearing, Atkins identified ambiguous rules as a major reason for the volatility and risk in cryptocurrency markets. He committed to collaborating with Congress and fellow commissioners to establish a good regulatory structure for the crypto industry.
“I am happy to join the agency’s dedicated professionals to carry on its mission of enabling capital formation; preserving fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and defending investors,” Paul Atkins said following the swearing-in.
BTCUSD inching closer to the key $89k level today: TradingView.com
Substantive Shift Away From Previous Administration’s Tactics
During ex-chairperson Gary Gensler’s tenure in the Biden administration, the SEC acquired a name for energetically probing crypto companies. That brought Gensler a label as a crypto skeptic among sector members.
The administration change has already seen policy changes. Since Trump came into office, the SEC has dismissed several legal actions against top Web3 and crypto exchange companies such as Binance, Coinbase, Ripple, and OpenSea.
“I am honored by the trust and confidence President Trump and the Senate have placed in me to lead the SEC,” Atkins said.
Trump Admin Sets Ambitious Crypto Timeline
The selection of Paul Atkins matches Trump’s declared objective to make the United States “the crypto capital of the world.” In his expanded role, Atkins will be closely involved in proposing cryptocurrency legislation with the SEC’s Crypto Task Force.
The SEC leadership change is one of the most profound transformations in the US cryptocurrency regulatory environment in years. Market observers will be looking closely at how Atkins’ ties to the crypto industry could impact his approach to regulation in the coming months.
Featured image from Disruption Banking, chart from TradingView
