In a major leadership shift that may alter the agency’s position on crypto and digital assets, Paul S. Atkins has formally assumed his position as the 34th Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The swearing was officially confirmed by an Apr. 21 press release from the SEC. Atkins was nominated by President Donald Trump on Jan. 20 and confirmed by the Senate earlier this month.
Atkins returns to the SEC after previously serving as commissioner from 2002 to 2008 under President George W. Bush. He most recently ran Patomak Global Partners, a regulatory consulting firm, and has advised several blockchain and fintech startups.
He also co-chaired the Token Alliance and served as an expert witness in crypto-related litigation. Ethics filings show Atkins and his wife hold between $327 million and $588.8 million in total assets, including $6 million in digital asset exposure. Before his confirmation, he held stakes in Anchorage Digital, Securitize, and a $5 million LP interest in Off the Chain Capital, all of which he has agreed to divest.
“I am honored by the trust and confidence President Trump and the Senate have placed in me to lead the SEC,” Atkins said in a statement. “Together we will work to ensure that the U.S. is the best and most secure place in the world to invest and do business.”
During his Senate confirmation hearing in March, Atkins criticized the previous SEC administration under Gary Gensler for being vague and overly aggressive toward the crypto industry. He pledged to reduce political interference, promote clear digital asset regulations, and support capital formation.
Industry observers believe Atkins’ leadership will mark a major turning point in SEC policy away from enforcement-driven actions and toward a clearer regulatory environment. With Atkins at the helm, expectations are high for faster exchange-traded funds approvals, friendlier rules for token issuers, and a more cooperative approach to crypto oversight.
His swearing-in comes amid reports that major crypto firms like Coinbase, Circle, and Paxos are reportedly preparing to apply for U.S. banking licenses, encouraged by what sources call a more favorable environment in Washington. Several ETF applications are also awaiting SEC approval.
