Paul Atkins Advocates for SEC-CFTC Harmonization at Joint Roundtable

Former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins emphasized the need for regulatory harmonization between the SEC and CFTC during a joint roundtable on September 29. He highlighted decades of fragmented oversight as a barrier to innovation and a driver of capital flight, urging collaboration over consolidation.

The roundtable agenda featured panels on jurisdictional boundaries, trading platforms, and market participant roles. Atkins framed the discussion as pivotal for U.S. financial competitiveness, noting that conflicting rules often push firms offshore while burdening investors with redundant compliance costs.

"Harmonization transforms dual oversight from a source of confusion into strength," Atkins asserted, distancing the proposal from a full agency merger. The event signals growing institutional recognition of crypto's regulatory challenges, though no direct cryptocurrency references were made.