Overview

• Paul Atkins, the newly sworn-in SEC chairman, held a crypto roundtable to outline his vision for regulatory clarity and innovation in the digital assets sector.
• Atkins criticized prior SEC leadership for creating regulatory uncertainty that stifled crypto innovation and pledged to establish a clear, fit-for-purpose framework.
• He stated the SEC has sufficient authority under existing laws to regulate crypto markets without waiting for new congressional statutes.
• Atkins highlighted the need to revisit rules on special-purpose broker-dealers and custody requirements to better accommodate blockchain technology and crypto assets.
• The SEC's approach to crypto has shifted significantly in recent months, with Atkins' predecessor, Mark Uyeda, reversing many enforcement actions taken under Gary Gensler's tenure.