SEC’s Atkins Addresses Crypto Rules as FDIC Advances Plan

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins reiterated plans to modernize outdated crypto regulations, emphasizing the need for frameworks that reflect the realities of digital asset custody and trading. Many existing rules were designed decades before cryptocurrencies existed, creating regulatory ambiguity that stifles innovation and market access.

In a CNBC interview, Atkins linked efficient capital markets to U.S. economic growth, arguing that updated rules WOULD provide clearer protections for issuers while bringing more crypto activity under a workable regulatory system. The FDIC simultaneously advanced its GENIUS Act framework, signaling accelerating momentum for stablecoin regulation.

The SEC's push aligns with broader institutional recognition of crypto's permanence in financial markets. Regulatory clarity could unlock significant capital formation opportunities as traditional finance increasingly intersects with digital assets.