New SEC Chair Paul Atkins Promises ‘Rational, Coherent’ Crypto Regulation Approach

In a significant shift for U.S. crypto regulation, newly sworn-in SEC Chair Paul Atkins vowed on April 22, 2025, to adopt a “rational, coherent, and principled” approach to digital assets, aiming to provide much-needed clarity for the industry. Atkins’ pledge marks a stark contrast to the enforcement-driven tenure of his predecessor, Gary Gensler, and has sparked optimism among crypto stakeholders.

April 23, 2025 – Paul Atkins, the newly appointed Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has pledged to bring a “rational, coherent, and principled” regulatory framework to the cryptocurrency industry, signaling a major departure from the stringent policies of former Chair Gary Gensler. Speaking at his swearing-in ceremony on April 22, 2025, Atkins emphasized the need for clarity in digital asset regulation, stating, “Under my leadership at the SEC, I can confidently say this is a new era,” according to The Block.

Atkins’ appointment follows his confirmation by the U.S. Senate on April 9 with a 52-44 vote, a nomination put forward by President Donald Trump. His pro-crypto stance has been well-documented, with Atkins previously serving as co-chair of the Token Alliance under the Digital Chamber of Commerce and as an advisor to Securitize, a tokenization firm. This background has fueled hopes that the SEC will pivot away from Gensler’s enforcement-heavy approach, which saw high-profile lawsuits against Ripple, Coinbase, and Binance, often criticized as “regulation by enforcement.”

During his tenure from 2021 to January 2025, Gensler’s SEC pursued aggressive actions against crypto firms, arguing that most digital assets should be classified as securities under the Howey Test. This led to a backlog of legal battles, including the Ripple case, which concluded in 2024 with a partial victory for Ripple after a $125 million penalty, per a CoinDesk report. However, the lack of clear guidelines left many in the industry frustrated, with firms like Coinbase repeatedly calling for a tailored regulatory framework.

Atkins addressed these concerns head-on, promising to prioritize regulatory clarity. “The absence of a clear framework has stifled innovation in the digital asset space,” he said during his Senate confirmation hearing on April 4, as reported by Bloomberg. To this end, the SEC has established a Crypto Task Force, which recently scheduled roundtable discussions with industry stakeholders to gather input and shape future policies. The Task Force aims to address key issues, such as the classification of crypto assets as securities or commodities, a debate that has long created jurisdictional tensions with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

Industry leaders have also welcomed the shift. “Paul Atkins’ commitment to a coherent regulatory framework is a game-changer for the crypto sector,” said Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, in a statement to Decrypt on April 23. She added that clear rules could unlock billions in institutional capital currently sidelined due to regulatory uncertainty. Similarly, Sheila Warren of the Crypto Council for Innovation told CoinDesk, “This is a step toward fostering innovation while ensuring market integrity—a balance the industry has been seeking for years.”

Atkins’ leadership comes at a critical juncture for the U.S. crypto industry. With the Trump administration pushing for crypto-friendly policies—evidenced by recent moves like Brandon Lutnick’s $3 billion Bitcoin investment consortium—the SEC’s role in shaping the regulatory landscape will be pivotal. Moreover, the global crypto market cap has reached $3.2 trillion, with Bitcoin alone accounting for $1.84 trillion, per CoinGecko, underscoring the growing importance of clear regulations to support mainstream adoption.

As Atkins begins his tenure, the crypto world is watching closely. His promise of a “new era” could redefine the U.S. as a leader in digital asset innovation— if he can deliver on his vision of balanced, principled regulation.