Former Commissioner Returns to Lead SEC Under Trump Administration

Paul Atkins has officially been sworn in as the 34th Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), marking a potential pivot toward pro-crypto regulatory policy. The announcement was made on April 21, nearly two weeks after the U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination in a 52–44 vote on April 9.

“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.”

Atkins previously served as an SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008 and is widely seen as a market-friendly, innovation-focused regulator. He now takes over from acting chair Mark Uyeda, who spearheaded the creation of the SEC’s Crypto Task Force earlier this year.

Crypto Industry Anticipates Policy Reversal

Atkins’ appointment is expected to continue the Trump administration’s pro-crypto pivot, especially following the departure of former chair Gary Gensler, whose tenure was marked by aggressive enforcement actions against major blockchain firms.

In recent months, the SEC has dropped or dismissed cases involving:

• Coinbase

• Uniswap Labs

• Gemini

• Consensys

Under Atkins, the SEC is anticipated to focus more on collaboration with the crypto industry and less on expanding its enforcement authority through litigation.

“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,” Atkins said.

Financial Disclosures Revealed Crypto Exposure

Atkins’ confirmation was reportedly delayed due to financial disclosure filings, many of which stemmed from his marriage into a billionaire family.

According to public records, Atkins holds up to $6 million in crypto-related investments, including stakes in:

• Anchorage Digital (crypto custody)

• Securitize (tokenization platform)

• Pontoro (blockchain for real estate finance)

While these investments sparked scrutiny during his confirmation hearings, analysts suggest they may bring first-hand industry insight to future SEC policymaking.

Over 70 Crypto ETF Applications Await Atkins’ SEC

Atkins begins his term with a full plate of crypto-related decisions, including over 70 exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications, according to Bloomberg.

These filings span the spectrum of digital assets, from mainstream coins like XRP, Litecoin, and Solana, to more experimental products tied to memecoins and leveraged ETFs, such as 2x Melania and Penguins.

“Gonna be a wild year,” Bloomberg ETF analyst James Balchunas posted on X.

His colleague, James Seyffart, described the recent ETF wave as a “spaghetti cannon approach,” where issuers submit a wide array of products to test what the new leadership may approve.

Final Thoughts: A New Era for SEC and Digital Assets?

Paul Atkins’ swearing-in marks the beginning of a new chapter for the SEC—one that could reshape how the agency approaches crypto regulation, market structure, and investor protections.

With substantial crypto exposure and support from the Trump administration, Atkins is poised to shift the SEC’s tone from adversarial to cooperative.

Whether this will result in clearer guidance, broader ETF approvals, or a reduction in enforcement cases remains to be seen—but for the crypto industry, the mood is unmistakably more optimistic.