The U.S. Senate has confirmed Paul Atkins as the new Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), following a 52-44 vote that split mainly along party lines.
The move positions a longtime crypto advocate and former SEC commissioner to lead the agency amid a changing regulatory landscape.
Atkins, nominated by President Donald Trump late last year, brings deep experience in financial oversight and digital asset policy. He previously served on the SEC from 2002 to 2008, navigating the agency through the turbulence of the global financial crisis. His return is pivotal for U.S. crypto policy, following a series of contentious enforcement actions under former chair Gary Gensler.
“He’s no stranger to the Commission,”
the SEC said in a joint statement on Tuesday, welcoming Atkins back as he prepares to officially take over from Acting Chair Mark Uyeda, who has held the role since January 20.
Atkins is a key figure in traditional finance and digital asset advocacy, having founded Patomak Global Partners in 2009. He co-chaired the Token Alliance from 2017 to 2024, advocating for clearer cryptocurrency policies.
Recent filings revealed Atkins’ significant crypto portfolio, including stakes in Anchorage Digital and Securitize, valued at up to $6 million. His investments and pro-crypto stance are part of a broader shift under the Trump administration. The SEC under Trump has already dismantled several crypto enforcement actions initiated during Gensler’s tenure and launched a Crypto Task Force to work with the industry on policy.
Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott praised the confirmation, saying Atkins will
“provide regulatory clarity for digital assets”
and ensure the U.S. remains a leader in innovation.
Atkins echoed this sentiment during his March confirmation hearing, pledging to build a “principled and coherent framework” for crypto. His leadership marks a departure from the SEC’s more aggressive posture in recent years—and could open the door to a friendlier regulatory environment for digital asset firms.
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