A new era dawns at the SEC as its freshly appointed chair signals a bold pivot toward clear, market-friendly digital asset regulation

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced April 21 that Paul S. Atkins had been sworn in as the agency's 34th chairman.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on April 21 that Paul S. Atkins had been sworn in as the agency’s 34th chairman. The appointment follows President Donald Trump’s nomination and the U.S. Senate’s confirmation on April 9.

Returning to an organization he once served as commissioner from 2002 to 2008, Atkins takes the reins at a time of ongoing regulatory scrutiny and market evolution.

In his first remarks as chairman, he acknowledged the responsibility and reaffirmed his dedication to the SEC’s objectives:

I am honored by the trust and confidence President Trump and the Senate have placed in me to lead the SEC.

“As I return to the SEC, I am pleased to join with my fellow Commissioners and the agency’s dedicated professionals to advance its mission to facilitate capital formation; maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and protect investors. 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,” the new SEC chair added.

Atkins comes to the position from Patomak Global Partners, a firm he founded in 2009. As chief executive, he focused on advising financial institutions and developing industry best practices for the digital asset sector. He also held leadership roles in market infrastructure, including his tenure as independent director and non-executive chairman of the board at BATS Global Markets Inc. between 2012 and 2015.

Earlier in his career, he served as commissioner of the SEC from 2002 to 2008. During his time at the SEC, he consistently pushed for transparency, cost-benefit analysis in rulemaking, and regulatory clarity. At the commission, he also represented the U.S. on the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets and the U.S.-EU Transatlantic Economic Council. In 2009, he joined the Congressional Oversight Panel responsible for reviewing the Troubled Asset Relief Program in the wake of the financial crisis. Prior to his public service, Atkins worked as a corporate attorney, advising on mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, and strategic transactions for both domestic and international clients.

He told Congress in March:

A top priority of my chairmanship will be to work with my fellow commissioners and Congress to provide a firm regulatory foundation for digital assets through a rational, coherent, and principled approach.

The cryptocurrency community has largely embraced Atkins’ appointment as SEC Chair, viewing it as a shift toward more favorable regulation.

“Paul Atkins at the helm of the SEC will bring common sense back to the agency,” said Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse. In his statement, Garlinghouse added:

I have known Paul for many years and have always appreciated his deep understanding of the financial markets and technology, and his willingness to engage in good-faith discussions to find solutions that work for everyone.

However, some critics express concern over Atkins' financial ties to crypto companies and question whether his approach might compromise investor protections.