SEC’s New Enforcer Paul Atkins Prepares Crypto Regulation Overhaul—Wall Street Braces for Impact

Washington’s revolving door spins again as ex-banker Paul Atkins takes the SEC helm—this time with a chainsaw for the crypto rulebook.

### The Regulatory Reboot Nobody Asked For

Atkins—a known skeptic of ’heavy-handed’ oversight—is poised to dismantle years of cautious crypto frameworks. Insiders whisper he’s drafting reforms that’ll make the 2021 bull run look like a compliance seminar.

### Wall Street’s Ironic Win

Traditional finance giants quietly cheer while publicly clutching pearls. After all, nothing helps hedge funds like regulatory chaos they can arbitrage—just ask the 2008 mortgage traders now dabbling in DeFi.

The crypto industry gets its deregulation fantasy. The SEC gets a lobbyist-friendly chief. And retail investors? They’ll get another masterclass in ’buyer beware’—with extra volatility.

Implications for the Crypto Industry

If you have been following crypto regulation, you know this is a big deal. Under former Chair Gary Gensler, the SEC was known for a tough stance, often relying on enforcement actions rather than offering clear guidance. That approach caused plenty of frustration across the industry.

JUST IN:NEW SEC CHAIR PAUL ATKINS STATES HE IS “EAGER TI ATTACK LONG-FESTERING ISSUES SUCH AS THE TREATMENT OF DIGITAL ASSETS”

USA IS NOW PRO-CRYPTO!$BTC $XRP pic.twitter.com/BigOQCLjKw

— Good Morning Crypto (@AbsGMCrypto) April 25, 2025

Atkins seems determined to flip that script. Instead of endless lawsuits and fines, he is hinting at real collaboration. He also called out the need to rethink how digital asset custody is handled and wants to revisit the idea of special-purpose broker-dealers specializing in crypto assets.

Even better for the industry, Atkins said the SEC does not need to wait for Congress to pass new laws. The agency has enough authority to start fixing some of the mess, and he sounds ready to move quickly.

Post-Gensler Crypto Industry Response

As you might guess, crypto players are pretty excited about this shift. Many have spent years asking for real rules that encourage innovation rather than stifle it. Now, it sounds like they might finally get what they have been asking for.

Hester Peirce, a longtime commissioner nicknamed “Crypto Mom” for her pro-crypto views, is fully on board. With Atkins and Peirce working together, the SEC could finally move toward creating a friendlier environment for legitimate crypto businesses without letting scams slip through the cracks.

The SEC is not working in a vacuum either. They have already started hosting a series of roundtables to bring in industry voices. The idea is to hear directly from builders, investors, and other stakeholders to help shape the next wave of regulation.

Conclusion on New SEC Chair

Paul Atkins is coming in hot, and the crypto industry is noticing. By calling for a complete overhaul of how the SEC handles digital assets, he sends a strong signal that the old rules are no longer cutting it.

Instead of treating crypto like a legal landmine, the new SEC leadership wants to build a system that encourages innovation while protecting investors. It is early days, but if Atkins follows through, the next few years could look very different for crypto in America.

Key Takeaways

• New SEC Chair Paul Atkins is pushing for a full overhaul of outdated crypto regulations to provide clearer rules for the industry.
• Atkins criticized the prior enforcement-heavy approach and emphasized collaboration and proper guidance over lawsuits.
• He stated the SEC already has enough authority to begin modernizing crypto oversight without waiting for new legislation.
• Industry leaders and pro-crypto figures like Hester Peirce have welcomed Atkins’ call for reform.
• The SEC has started hosting crypto-focused roundtables to gather direct input from builders, investors, and other stakeholders.