tl;dr
Paul Atkins, President Trump's nominee for chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, emphasized that crypto regulation would be a top priority under his leadership during his confirmation hearing. Atkins, a former SEC commissioner, aims to provide regulatory clarity for digital assets and ...
Paul Atkins, President Donald Trump’s pick for chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, emphasized that crypto regulation would be a “top priority” for him. Atkins aims to provide regulatory clarity for digital assets and refocus the SEC on investor protection, market efficiency, and capital formation.
Atkins appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs for his confirmation hearing, where he pledged for a rational, coherent, and principled approach to digital asset regulation. He stressed the need for a firm regulatory foundation for digital assets through smart, efficient, and clear rules.
Senator Tim Scott praised Atkins as a seasoned leader capable of promoting capital formation, retail investment opportunities, and clarity for digital assets. However, Senator Elizabeth Warren raised concerns about Atkins’ impartiality due to his previous involvement in the digital asset industry. Warren urged Atkins to address his conflict of interest by committing to step aside from relevant issues.
The Senate Banking Committee is expected to vote on Atkins’ nomination, with no confirmed date yet. If confirmed, Atkins would succeed former chair Gary Gensler.