Crypto-Friendly Paul Atkins Gets the Nod to Head SEC

Atkins, who was an SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008, will take over from Mark Uyeda, the current acting chair. His earlier term at the SEC included the years during the global financial crisis.

In an April 9 statement, the SEC commissioners stated, "We welcome Paul Atkins as the next Chairman of the SEC. A veteran of our Commission, we look forward to him joining with us, along with our dedicated staff, to fulfill our mission on behalf of the investing public".

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In his confirmation hearing on March 27, Atkins stated that one of his key goals would be to build clear and practical rules for digital assets. He described this approach as "rational, coherent, and principled".

Senator Tim Scott, who leads the Senate Banking Committee, expressed support for Atkins. He said, "Atkins will also provide regulatory clarity for digital assets, allowing American innovation to flourish, and ensuring we remain competitive on the global stage".

During President Donald Trump’s term, the SEC created a Crypto Task Force and paused some investigations launched by the agency’s previous leadership. Atkins is expected to continue the recent approach of working with the crypto industry.

Meanwhile, on April 8, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) was shutting down the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET). Why? Read the full story.