SEC Chair Paul Atkins Unveils Crypto-Focused Agenda, Promising “Clear Rules of the Road”

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins has placed digital assets at the centre of the agency’s Spring 2025 regulatory programme, describing it as a “new day” for the regulator. The agenda, published on 4 September, outlines several proposals intended to clarify how crypto assets are issued, traded, and safeguarded.

The items on the agenda represent the Commission’s renewed focus on supporting innovation, capital formation, market efficiency, and investor protection.

Paul Atkins, Chairman of the SEC

Atkins said a central aim of his leadership is to create “clear rules of the road” for the issuance, custody, and trading of crypto assets while continuing to deter unlawful activity in the sector. The programme includes a planned rule on the offering and sale of digital assets, which may provide exemptions and safe harbours, alongside amendments to existing rules so that cryptocurrencies can be traded on national securities exchanges and alternative trading systems.

The SEC also intends to revise broker-dealer regulations to address how they apply to crypto and will examine ways to simplify disclosure requirements for public companies. According to the agency, these initiatives reflect a renewed focus on innovation, investor protection, and market efficiency.

Related: U.S. Treasury Seeks Input on Digital ID Tools to Tackle Illicit Crypto Finance

Driving Regulatory Clarity Across Markets

Beyond crypto, the agenda highlights deregulatory efforts aimed at easing burdens on securities firms and broadening access to capital. The Commission has also signalled it may revisit the controversial Consolidated Audit Trail system, following criticism over its escalating costs and data security concerns.

Federal agencies regularly publish regulatory agendas for public review, though their timelines are not always met. Observers see them as signals of direction rather than fixed schedules. The SEC’s move comes as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission pursues its own “crypto sprint,” with both agencies emphasising support for the industry’s growth in line with President Donald Trump’s push for the US to lead in digital asset technology.

By putting crypto at the forefront, Atkins has marked a policy shift for the SEC, contrasting with the prior administration’s enforcement-heavy approach that targeted leading exchanges such as Coinbase and Binance.

Related: CFTC Commissioner Says Majority of Tips in Whistleblower Program Involve Crypto