Paul Atkins: A Pro-Crypto Advocate Set to Shape SEC

With the election of Trump as the President, one of his key responsibilities had been choosing the new chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The role had been vacant after Gary Gensler’s resignation , set for January 20. Trump’s nomination, Paul Atkins, a former SEC commissioner with extensive experience in financial and crypto regulation, will bring a wave of change in how the agency deals with digital assets.

Who Is Paul Atkins?

Paul Atkins, 66, has had an extensive career in financial regulation. He first worked at the SEC from 1990 to 1994 before serving as a commissioner from 2002 to 2008 under President George W. Bush. Known for his libertarian, pro-market beliefs, Atkins emphasized balanced regulation during his tenure.

Beyond the SEC, Atkins worked in corporate law and regulation, advising on mergers, acquisitions, securities offerings, and compliance at top firms like Davis Polk & Wardwell. His considerable experience in both the commercial and regulatory sectors qualifies him for leadership at the SEC.

He has also been instrumental in handling white-collar crisis, including his role in the Bennett Funding Group scandal. The company was a multibillion-dollar leasing company that ran one of the greatest Ponzi scams in US history. 

After the company collapsed, he helped the court-appointed bankruptcy trustee by managing its only surviving subsidiary as crisis president, successfully stabilizing its finances. 

Atkins co-chaired the Token Alliance, a pro-crypto division of the Digital Chamber of Commerce, where he played a crucial role in shaping regulatory dialogues on digital tokens. Moreover, Atkins founded Potomak Global Partners, an advisory firm that provided consulting services for digital finance companies. Well known in Washington legal and regulatory circles, Atkins is seen as a pro-business and pro-innovation figure. 

Paul Atkins’ Thoughts on Crypto

Gary Gensler has consistently advocated for stricter regulations on cryptocurrency. However, Paul Atkins, a long-time supporter of cryptocurrency and blockchain, prefers a pro-innovation, less-restrictive regulatory approach.

What stands out is his pro-crypto stance, especially in a time when the crypto industry feels increasingly alienated by regulatory actions.

Under Gensler’s leadership, the SEC has been accused of “regulation by enforcement,” creating an environment of confusion for crypto projects. Gensler’s firm stance on labeling digital assets as securities without offering clear guidelines has drawn the ire of the crypto community.

In contrast, Atkins could bring much-needed clarity and a more collaborative approach.

What to Expect as a Crypto Community?

With Atkins’ vast exposure to law and cryptocurrency, his leadership at the SEC could lead to significant changes in the agency’s approach to digital assets. Here are some potential impacts, we as a crypto community, may see under his leadership:

• Pro-Innovation Approach: Atkins has long advocated for a less-restrictive regulatory framework, especially for emerging technologies like cryptocurrency and blockchain. His stance could foster innovation in the crypto space by reducing regulatory hurdles that stifle growth.
• Clearer Crypto Guidelines: As someone with deep ties to the crypto industry, Atkins could help clarify which digital assets are considered securities and which are not. This clarity would provide much-needed regulatory certainty, helping crypto businesses navigate the legal landscape.
• Support for Crypto-Friendly Policies: Atkins’ leadership could align with efforts to remove digital assets from the SEC’s jurisdiction, potentially reducing legal pressure on crypto companies and encouraging new investments in the sector.
• Crypto Industry Advocacy: Known for his work on drafting “best practices” for crypto trading platforms, Atkins’ involvement could help shape the future of crypto market regulations in a way that balances consumer protection with industry growth.
• Rollback of Over-Regulation: Under Atkins’ leadership, the SEC could roll back or reconsider aggressive enforcement actions, such as the high-profile Coinbase case, providing more breathing room for the crypto industry.
• Support for Digital Assets: Atkins’ strong pro-crypto stance would likely result in a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment, benefiting projects related to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other blockchain technologies.

With Atkins’ nomination, there is an anticipation that he will take a lighter regulatory approach to crypto, potentially rolling back some of Gensler’s initiatives and focusing more on promoting innovation. This could mean a shift in how the SEC treats crypto assets—perhaps taking a hands-off approach or selectively regulating certain digital assets.

Crypto industry leaders and enthusiasts have praised Atkins as a “pro-Bitcoin” choice, expecting a more favorable regulatory environment for digital assets under his leadership. His views align with those of the Trump administration, which has always backed loosening of crypto regulations.

Atkins’ leadership at the SEC could represent a transformative shift in the agency’s approach to financial regulation, particularly regarding digital assets.