Most Influential: Paul Atkins
Paul Atkins, the new SEC Chair, is rapidly reversing prior crypto regulations to establish a rational framework for digital assets.Summary
Paul S. Atkins, sworn in as the 34th Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in April 2025, is leading a significant shift in how the agency regulates cryptocurrency, moving away from the enforcement-heavy approach of his predecessor, Gary Gensler. Atkins, who previously served as an SEC Commissioner from 2002 to 2008, views the migration to on-chain securities as having the potential to remodel the securities market.
His stated priority is to develop a rational regulatory framework for crypto asset markets, establishing clear rules for issuance, custody, and trading, while discouraging illegal activity. Under his leadership, the SEC has dropped investigations against crypto firms and is issuing staff statements to set a new tone. Atkins has specifically directed staff to develop clearer guidelines to help projects determine if a crypto asset is a security, and to propose purpose-fit disclosures, exemptions, and safe harbors for activities like ICOs and airdrops. He is also engaging with firms to prevent tokenized security projects from being forced offshore and is actively seeking input from the industry for a new token taxonomy.
(Source：CoinDesk)