Paul S. Atkins Leads SEC with New Digital Asset Regulatory Framework
Paul S. Atkins was sworn in as the 34th chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 21, 2025. He was nominated by President Trump on January 20 and confirmed by the Senate on April 9, 2025. Atkins previously served as an SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008 during the George W. Bush administration.
Since his appointment, Atkins has focused on rewriting Washington’s approach to digital assets. In a keynote speech on May 12, 2025, he highlighted the potential of on-chain securities to transform how securities are issued, traded, owned, and utilized. A top priority under his leadership has been establishing a rational regulatory framework for crypto markets that sets clear rules for issuance, custody, and trading, while discouraging bad actors and ending ad hoc enforcement actions.
The SEC has reduced crypto investigations and lawsuits under Atkins, continuing a trend started by Acting Chair Mark Uyeda. The agency has also issued staff statements addressing tokenization, stablecoins, and disclosures which signal a new regulatory tone.
On July 31, 2025, Atkins directed SEC staff to develop clearer guidelines to determine whether a crypto asset qualifies as a security. The guidance will include proposals for disclosures, exemptions, and safe harbors aimed at initial coin offerings (ICOs), airdrops, and network rewards.
By December 2025, Atkins stated that the SEC was seeking input from the industry on creating a new token taxonomy. The agency plans to consider feedback from private sector participants and other government bodies.
Atkins is scheduled to speak at Consensus 2026 in Miami in May, continuing the dialogue on modernizing securities regulation in the digital age.
