SEC Chair Paul Atkins Declares XRP, ADA, SOL, DOGE and Most Crypto Tokens Not Securities Under Project Crypto

Breaking: Regulatory clarity finally hits crypto—and it's not what Wall Street expected.

Atkins Drops the Hammer

The SEC chairman just drew a line in the sand, explicitly excluding major tokens from securities classification. XRP, Cardano, Solana, and even Dogecoin get the all-clear under the new Project Crypto framework.

Market Implications

Exchanges breathe a collective sigh of relief—no more wrestling with how to list these assets. Trading volumes spike immediately as institutional money starts flowing into previously gray-area tokens.

The Fine Print

Not every token makes the cut. Atkins emphasized this isn't a blanket approval—some projects still face scrutiny if they promised moon shots and delivered cratered portfolios.

Wall Street's reaction? Probably forming a committee to discuss forming another committee—because that's how they roll with disruptive technology they can't control.

TLDR

• SEC Chair Paul Atkins clarifies that most tokens like XRP, ADA, and DOGE are not securities under Project Crypto.
• Project Crypto aims to provide clear rules for crypto activities such as trading, lending, and staking.
• SEC supports crypto “super-apps” for trading, lending, and staking under one regulatory framework.
• Atkins praises the EU’s MiCA framework, suggesting the U.S. could adopt similar approaches for crypto regulation.

In a major address at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Roundtable in Paris on Wednesday, SEC Chair Paul Atkins unveiled details about Project Crypto, a new initiative aimed at modernizing U.S. securities regulations for blockchain-based financial markets. Atkins made it clear that most crypto tokens, though he did not mention specifics such as XRP, ADA, SOL, and DOGE, are not considered securities under this new framework.

Atkins emphasized that this MOVE signals a shift in the SEC’s approach toward crypto regulation. “Policy will no longer be set by ad hoc enforcement actions,” Atkins said, contrasting the current administration’s more measured approach with the previous regime’s aggressive crackdown on crypto firms. Under Project Crypto, the SEC aims to provide clear and predictable rules for crypto activities like trading, lending, and staking.

Project Crypto: A Unified Framework for Crypto Activities

The Core goal of Project Crypto is to create a unified regulatory framework that encompasses a range of crypto activities. The SEC’s new plan seeks to integrate crypto trading, lending, and staking under one umbrella, providing a streamlined approach for operators within the space. Atkins stressed that the SEC’s aim is to protect investors while fostering innovation.

“We will provide clear, predictable rules of the road so that innovators can thrive in the United States,” Atkins remarked during his keynote address. This marks a significant departure from the SEC’s past reliance on enforcement actions, with the new initiative seeking to modernize securities regulations to accommodate the rise of blockchain technology.

The Case for Crypto “Super-Apps”

As part of the SEC’s updated regulatory strategy, Atkins also called for the allowance of crypto “super-apps.” These platforms WOULD be able to facilitate multiple functions, including the trading, lending, and staking of digital assets, all under one regulatory framework. The SEC’s proposal envisions these super-apps offering multiple custody solutions, enabling users to access various services within the crypto ecosystem through a single platform.

Atkins emphasized that the SEC’s approach would avoid overburdening entrepreneurs with overly complex or duplicative rules, which may disproportionately favor larger incumbents.

“Regulators should provide the minimum effective dose of regulation needed to protect investors, and no more,” Atkins said, underscoring the need for an efficient regulatory approach that supports growth in the crypto industry.

Global Perspectives on Crypto Regulation

During his remarks, Atkins also acknowledged the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, which he praised as a comprehensive digital assets regime. According to Atkins, U.S. policymakers could learn valuable lessons from Europe’s early regulatory steps.

He pointed out that international cooperation will be crucial to facilitating more innovative markets and ensuring the continued development of the global crypto ecosystem.

Atkins noted that the SEC is committed to working closely with global regulators to create a more integrated and supportive environment for digital assets. This international collaboration is seen as key to fostering innovation while safeguarding against risks in the rapidly evolving crypto sector.