Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins has declared “a new day” for the SEC, as he pledged to reshape the agency’s approach to crypto assets through transparent, participatory rulemaking with a focus on investor protection.
Atkins insisted that he has seen first-hand how ambiguous or nonexistent regulations in the digital asset space create uncertainty and inhibit innovation.
While giving a testimony before the US Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government on 3 June 2025, Atkins said, “How we implement regulations at the SEC is crucial; it is one thing to write a regulation, quite another for it to achieve its intended goal.”
TODAY: 
SEC Chair Paul Atkins announces a shift in crypto policy approach
Atkins emphasizes public rulemaking with notice-and-comment, moving away from enforcement-led regulation
Aims to provide clarity for crypto firms after years of uncertainty under previous SEC… pic.twitter.com/LFX9DiAvEj
— Satoshi Oracle ₿ (@Satoshi_Oracle_) June 4, 2025
“A key priority of my Chairmanship will be to develop a rational regulatory framework for crypto asset markets that establishes clear rules of the road for the issuance, custody, and trading of crypto assets while continuing to discourage bad actors from violating the law,” said Atkins.
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Clear Departure From Enforcement-Heavy Tactics
Furthermore, Atkins insisted that under his leadership the SEC will prioritize “notice and comment” rulemaking – a process that invites public feedback before finalizing new regulations- rather than governing the crypto sector through lawsuits and legal settlements.
The SEC’s pivot away from “regulation by enforcement” comes after years of criticism from the crypto industry.
Giving credit to the newly established Crypto Task Force, Commissioner Mark Uyeda and Commissioner Hester Peirce, Atkins said that “For too long, the Commission has been hindered by policymaking silos. The Crypto Task Force exemplifies how our policy divisions can come together to expeditiously provide long-needed clarity and certainty to the American public.”
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So Far, SEC Crypto Task Force Has Held Four Roundtables
The Crypto task Force, tasked with developing a workable regulatory framework for digital assets, has already held multiple roundtables on critical topics such as what constitutes a security, how to regulate crypto trading and custody and tokenization. The next focus is on decentralized finance (DeFi), with further public feedback expected in the coming months.
“Entrepreneurs across the United States and around the world are harnessing blockchain technology to modernize aspects of our financial system,” said Atkins. “I anticipate benefits from this market innovation for efficiency, cost reduction, transparency, and risk mitigation.”
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Key Takeaways
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By prioritizing rulemaking over enforcement, fostering innovation, and focusing on investor protection, the agency is positioning itself as a constructive partner to the crypto industry.
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The SEC’s pivot away from “regulation by enforcement” comes after years of criticism from the crypto industry.
The post “It is a new day at the SEC,” Says Paul Atkins, Insists on Rational Regulatory Framework For Crypto Asset Markets appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
