SEC Chair Suggests Most Crypto Tokens Are Not Securities, Signaling Regulatory Shift

SEC Chair Paul Atkins has indicated a potential softening of the agency's stance on cryptocurrency regulation, stating that the majority of digital tokens should not be classified as securities. The remarks, made during a fireside chat at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, suggest a pivot in how the SEC approaches the rapidly evolving crypto market.

"We cannot go about looking at the tokens themselves as necessarily being a security," Atkins said. "From the SEC's perspective, we will plow forward on this idea that just the token itself is not necessarily the security and probably not. There are very few in my mind tokens that are securities." The comments reflect growing recognition within the agency that existing frameworks may need modernization to accommodate digital assets.

Atkins emphasized the need for clear, adaptable rules that can evolve alongside the industry. In a recent social media post, he underscored this commitment: "We must craft a framework that future-proofs the crypto markets against regulatory mischief." The stance marks a notable departure from previous SEC positions under different administrations.