SEC Chair Signals Regulatory Shift, Declares ’Very Few’ Cryptos Are Securities

Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins delivered a pivotal statement at the SALT Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, marking a stark departure from his predecessor's stance. "Very few tokens should be classified as securities," Atkins asserted, signaling a potential easing of regulatory pressure on digital assets. The remarks come as markets continue to correct despite the regulatory clarity.

Atkins emphasized the SEC's "Project Crypto" initiative will focus on the underlying transactions rather than blanket token classifications. "We cannot treat oranges [tokens] themselves as necessarily being a security," he noted, sporting an orange tie during the address. The approach aligns with recommendations from the President's Working Group on Digital Asset Markets.

The regulatory pivot could reshape compliance requirements for blockchain projects while maintaining investor protections. Market participants await concrete implementation details as the SEC prepares to operationalize these principles.