SEC Chairman Paul Atkins Unveils Project Crypto for Clearer Digital Asset Regulation

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is pivoting from its contentious "regulation by enforcement" strategy to a structured framework for cryptocurrencies. Chairman Paul S. Atkins announced Project crypto at the OECD Roundtable in Paris, signaling an end to the regulatory ambiguity that has plagued the industry.

Project Crypto aims to modernize securities laws with definitive token classifications, giving startups legal certainty for innovation. "Ad hoc enforcement actions will no longer set policy," Atkins declared, acknowledging past criticism that aggressive litigation drove blockchain talent overseas.

The initiative aligns with global trends, resembling the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets framework. Notably, it proposes umbrella regulation for super-app platforms combining trading, lending, and staking services—a MOVE that could reshape compliance for major exchanges.