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SEC Chair Paul Atkins Declares “New Day” for Crypto Industry After Gensler Era
SEC Chair Paul Atkins, the newly appointed Securities and Exchange Commission Chair, has signaled a dramatic shift in the agency’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation, promising to end years of hostile enforcement and embrace innovation within the digital asset space.
Ending the Regulatory “Lawfare” Era
Speaking at the 2025 Wyoming Blockchain Symposium in Jackson Hole, Atkins emphasized that it’s now “a new day” for the cryptocurrency industry. He acknowledged the extent of regulatory aggression under his predecessor, stating that the “lawfare that was being waged over the last few years” exceeded even his expectations.
The new SEC Chair outlined how the agency evolved from a “head-in-the-sand” approach, hoping cryptocurrency would simply disappear, to the active “regulation by enforcement” strategy implemented under Gary Gensler’s leadership. This approach created significant uncertainty and legal challenges for many crypto companies.
Framework for Future Protection
Atkins has committed the SEC to developing a comprehensive regulatory framework designed to protect cryptocurrency markets from future regulatory overreach. “I look forward to working with my counterparts across the Administration and Congress to get the job done,” he emphasized, signaling a collaborative approach to crypto policy.
The SEC Chair confirmed that the agency is mobilizing all of its divisions to achieve cryptocurrency dominance while supporting legislative progress in Congress focused on digital assets.
Embracing Innovation and Flexibility
Departing from the previous administration’s stance, Atkins stressed that the SEC wants to “embrace innovation,” noting that historically, the agency “has not shunned innovation.” This represents a fundamental philosophical shift from the Gensler era’s enforcement-heavy approach.
Future-Proofing the Industry
Atkins highlighted the importance of recent legislative developments, particularly praising the GENIUS Act, which provides much-needed clarity for the stablecoin sector. However, he emphasized that many questions remain unanswered as the industry continues evolving.
The SEC Chair stressed the critical need for future-proofing the cryptocurrency industry against regulatory overreach, acknowledging that the landscape will look dramatically different in five to ten years.
“All I’m pleading for is flexibility so that we can keep the regulatory scheme adaptable to changes in the marketplace and technology as we go forward,” Atkins concluded, outlining his vision for responsive, innovation-friendly regulation that can evolve alongside the rapidly changing crypto ecosystem.
