{"id":377826,"date":"2025-01-15T11:49:35","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T11:49:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/?p=377826"},"modified":"2025-01-15T11:49:35","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T11:49:35","slug":"why-paul-atkins-as-sec-chair-is-a-big-deal-for-crypto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/why-paul-atkins-as-sec-chair-is-a-big-deal-for-crypto","title":{"rendered":"Why Paul Atkins as SEC Chair Is a Big Deal for Crypto"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Donald Trump\u2019s second term as the president of the United States is set to bring in a swathe of changes. Crypto community members were most excited about Trump\u2019s promise to remove Gary Gensler as the U.S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/securities-and-exchange-commission-sec\">Securities and Exchange Commission<\/a> (SEC) chairman.<\/p>\n<p>Since taking office in April 2021, chair Gensler has led an aggressive crackdown on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/27531\/cryptocurrency\">crypto<\/a> sector. He consistently sparked the ire of crypto enthusiasts by maintaining that most cryptocurrencies are securities and targeting crypto companies and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/decentralized-finance-defi\">decentralized finance<\/a> (DeFi) projects.<\/p>\n<p>After Trump\u2019s election win, Gensler announced he will voluntarily step down as SEC chair on January 20, 2025, making way for a pro-crypto successor in Paul Atkins.<\/p>\n<p>Who is Paul Atkins, and why is the change at the SEC a big deal for crypto? Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\"  style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">\n<h2><span id=\"key_takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Gensler will voluntarily step down as SEC chair on January 20, 2025.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Paul Atkins was nominated by incoming U.S. president Donald Trump to become the next SEC chairman.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Atkins is a former SEC commissioner who served under President George W. Bush from 2002 to 2008.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">In early December 2024, incoming President Trump announced the nomination of Atkins to be the next chairman of the SEC.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Atkins is known for his crypto-friendly stance. He has expressed views on how the SEC can be more supportive of crypto innovation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div>\n    <section class=\"toc-sticky w-100 bg-white \">\n        <div class=\"toc-sticky__container container\">\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__open d-flex align-items-end\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\"\n                 aria-controls=\"multiCollapse1\"\n                 data-bs-target=\"#multiCollapse1\">\n                <button\n                        class=\"btn btn-primary collapse-action-btn p-1 rounded-circle\"\n                        type=\"button\"\n                >\n                    <i class=\"icon-chevron-up\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <span id=\"toc-current-title\" class=\"d-flex align-items-center\">\n                    Table of Contents\n                <\/span>\n                <span class=\"toc-main-title-permanent\">Table of Contents<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div\n                    class=\"collapse my-3\"\n                    id=\"multiCollapse1\"\n            >\n                <ol class=\"StepProgress\">\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item current\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"key_takeaways\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"key_takeaways\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Key Takeaways<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"who_is_paul_atkins\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"who_is_paul_atkins\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Who is Paul Atkins?<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"is_paul_atkins_a_crypto_advocate\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"is_paul_atkins_a_crypto_advocate\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Is Paul Atkins a Crypto Advocate?<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"what_can_crypto_investors_expect_from_atkins-led_sec\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_can_crypto_investors_expect_from_atkins-led_sec\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">What Can Crypto Investors Expect from Atkins-led SEC?<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"the_bottom_line\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"the_bottom_line\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">The Bottom Line<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"faqs\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"faqs\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">FAQS<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"references\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"references\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">References<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                    <\/ol>\n                <div class=\"toc-sticky__container__disperse\"><\/div>\n                <div class=\"toc-sticky__btn-top justify-content-center\">\n                    <button class=\"btn btn-link d-flex align-items-center\" onclick={btnTop()}><p>Show Full Guide<\/p><img decoding=\"async\"\n                                src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/table-of-contents\/assets\/images\/arrow-up-circle.svg\"\n                                alt=\"arrow-up-circle\">\n                    <\/button>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    <div class=\"toc-sticky-list\">\n        <div class=\"toc-sticky__container container\">\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__open d-flex align-items-end\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" aria-controls=\"multiCollapse2\" data-bs-target=\"#multiCollapse2\">\n                <button class=\"btn btn-primary collapse-action-btn p-1 rounded-circle\"\n                        type=\"button\">\n                    <i class=\"icon-chevron-up up\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <span id=\"toc-current-title\" class=\"d-flex align-items-center\">\n                    Table of Contents\n                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"collapse my-3\" id=\"multiCollapse2\">\n                <ol class=\"StepProgress\">\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item current \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"key_takeaways\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"key_takeaways\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Key Takeaways<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"who_is_paul_atkins\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"who_is_paul_atkins\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Who is Paul Atkins?<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"is_paul_atkins_a_crypto_advocate\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"is_paul_atkins_a_crypto_advocate\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Is Paul Atkins a Crypto Advocate?<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <span class=\"show_moretoc\">Show Full Guide<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"what_can_crypto_investors_expect_from_atkins-led_sec\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_can_crypto_investors_expect_from_atkins-led_sec\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">What Can Crypto Investors Expect from Atkins-led SEC?<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"the_bottom_line\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"the_bottom_line\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">The Bottom Line<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"faqs\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"faqs\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">FAQS<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"references\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"references\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">References<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                    <\/ol>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__container__disperse\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<script id=\"toc-js\">\n    window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", () => {\n        const header = document.querySelector(\".header_wrapper\");\n\n        const pageLegend = document.querySelector('#multiCollapse1');\n        const pageLegendList = document.querySelector('#multiCollapse2');\n        const pageLegendCollapse = 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pageLegend.classList.remove('overflow-auto');\n        pageLegend.style.height = 'auto';\n        window.scrollTo({\n            top: 0,\n            behavior: 'smooth'\n        });\n    }\n\n    const handleScrollToTitle = (id) => {\n        const el = document.getElementById(id);\n        const headerHeightDifference = window.innerWidth < 992 ? -30 : -15;\n        window.scrollTo({\n            top: el.offsetTop - 60 - headerHeightDifference - 10,\n        });\n    }\n<\/script>\n\n<h2><span id=\"who_is_paul_atkins\">Who is Paul Atkins?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Paul Atkins is a former SEC commissioner who served under President George W. Bush between August 2002 to 2008.<\/p>\n<p>Atkins began his career as a lawyer focusing on public and private securities offerings and M&amp;A transactions for U.S. and foreign clients. He received his Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1983.<\/p>\n<p>Atkins is also the chief executive officer of an advisory and risk management firm called Patomak Global Partners. The company has <a href=\"https:\/\/patomak.com\/expertise\/strategy-advisory\/#tab-id-6\" target=\"_blank\">assisted<\/a> clients in filing Bitcoin and Ethereum ETP applications, stablecoin projects, and regulatory comment letters.<\/p>\n<p>In early December 2024, incoming President Trump announced the nomination of Atkins to be the next chairman of the SEC.<\/p>\n<p>For context, the SEC has five commissioners appointed by the U.S. president. The president also chooses one of the commissioners as chairman. No more than three commissioners can belong to the same political party.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_377835\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-377835\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/U.S.-President-Donald-Trump-announcing-Paul-Atkins-as-Chair-of-the-SEC.png\" alt=\"Announcement by Donald J. Trump nominating Paul Atkins as the next Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, highlighting his achievements and leadership in innovative capital markets\" width=\"1200\" height=\"785\" class=\"wp-image-377835\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/U.S.-President-Donald-Trump-announcing-Paul-Atkins-as-Chair-of-the-SEC.png 1600w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/U.S.-President-Donald-Trump-announcing-Paul-Atkins-as-Chair-of-the-SEC-300x196.png 300w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/U.S.-President-Donald-Trump-announcing-Paul-Atkins-as-Chair-of-the-SEC-1024x669.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/U.S.-President-Donald-Trump-announcing-Paul-Atkins-as-Chair-of-the-SEC-768x502.png 768w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/U.S.-President-Donald-Trump-announcing-Paul-Atkins-as-Chair-of-the-SEC-1536x1004.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/U.S.-President-Donald-Trump-announcing-Paul-Atkins-as-Chair-of-the-SEC-1200x785.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-377835\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">U.S. President Donald Trump announcing Paul Atkins as Chair of the SEC. Source: Truth Social.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"is_paul_atkins_a_crypto_advocate\">Is Paul Atkins a Crypto Advocate?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Atkins is known for his crypto-friendly stance.<\/p>\n<p>When Atkins was appointed as the co-chair of a newly established organization called the <strong>Token Alliance<\/strong> in 2017, he <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalchamber.org\/blockchain-industry-and-regulatory-leaders-launch-token-alliance\/\" target=\"_blank\">called<\/a> cryptocurrencies a \u201dnew and exciting asset class.\u201d In 2019, he was an advisor for the stablecoin platform Reserve Protocol.<\/p>\n<p>Later in 2020, Atkins was appointed to the board of advisors of <strong>The Chamber of Digital Commerce<\/strong> &#8211; the world\u2019s first and largest <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/30246\/blockchain\">blockchain<\/a> trade association. Upon appointment, Atkins called for a \u201csmart regulatory policy\u201d for the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Chamber has been a leader in seeking to bring about regulatory clarity for token projects, and I am honored to continue working with the Advisory Board in a broader capacity,\u201d he <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalchamber.org\/board-advisors-sullivan-atkins\/\" target=\"_blank\">added<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">We have a lot of work to do at the SEC to advance free markets, capital formation, investor choice, and innovation. I&#39;m delighted that Paul Atkins will be returning to lead the effort. Having worked for him during his last stint at the agency, I cannot think of a better person\u2026<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Hester Peirce (@HesterPeirce) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HesterPeirce\/status\/1864428440893735331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\">December 4, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>In a February 2023 interview with <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/eLNFa14msRc?si=33T6QyljBhtYYahn\" target=\"_blank\">Free the People<\/a>, Atkins explained how he thought the SEC should approach crypto regulations.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf the government, if the SEC were more accommodating and would deal straightforwardly with these various firms (overseas crypto exchanges such as Binance), I think it would be a lot better to have things happen here in the U.S. rather than outside,\u201d Atkins said.<\/p>\n<p>Atkins also expressed his views on how the SEC can be more supportive of crypto innovation, saying:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have this construct and it&#8217;s a very creaky construct with respect to financial services regulation \u2014 lots of different players, lots of costs that are added, lots of ways in which the rules impede financial innovation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo that\u2019s one reason why the SEC should be there with its ears to the ground to figure out which way things are moving. And let\u2019s try to accommodate activity that is not criminal and enable markets to flourish because if it challenges incumbents and it helps to bring down the cost for investors and for people who are trying to raise capital, I mean, that\u2019s the reason why we have financial markets.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">President-elect <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\">@realDonaldTrump<\/a> has officially nominated Paul Atkins to be the chair of the SEC. Last year, he sat down with <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mkibbe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\">@mkibbe<\/a> to discuss Crypto and what the proper role of the SEC is. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zyhye3yW3s\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/zyhye3yW3s<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Free the People (@freethepeople) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/freethepeople\/status\/1864406937594417482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\">December 4, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"what_can_crypto_investors_expect_from_atkins-led_sec\">What Can Crypto Investors Expect from Atkins-led SEC?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Here are some predictions on what crypto investors can expect from the SEC with Paul Atkins at the helm.<\/p>\n<h3>Resolving Crypto\u2019s Security vs. Commodity Status<\/h3>\n<p>Crypto advocates have been pushing regulators to provide clear disclosure standards to differentiate securities and commodities within the crypto sector. Atkins\u2019 experience with The Chamber of Digital Commerce and Token Alliance could be key.<\/p>\n<h3>Drawing a Line Between the SEC and CFTC<\/h3>\n<p>The two regulators have been vying for the power to regulate the multi-trillion-dollar crypto industry. Clarity on the classification of digital asset securities and commodities will help ease regulatory uncertainties faced by crypto entrepreneurs and investors.<\/p>\n<h3>Safe Harbor for Digital Asset Projects<\/h3>\n<p>In the past, Atkins has highlighted SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sec.gov\/newsroom\/speeches-statements\/peirce-statement-token-safe-harbor-proposal-20\" target=\"_blank\">efforts<\/a> to create a \u201csafe harbor\u201d that provides crypto developers with a three-year grace period within which they are exempted from the registration provisions of the federal securities laws.<\/p>\n<p>Commissioner Peirce put forward the accommodative proposal just as Chair Gensler made his way to the office. However, the proposal never saw the light of day.<\/p>\n<h3>Room for Crypto Innovation<\/h3>\n<p>Atkins has expressed views on how the SEC can be accommodative to crypto innovation to help financial markets flourish.<\/p>\n<h3>Making America a Crypto Hot Bed<\/h3>\n<p>Atkins has hinted at how clarity on the crypto regulation front will help the U.S. attract crypto companies and projects while protecting investors and keeping them well-informed about market risks.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"the_bottom_line\">The Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Despite Gensler\u2019s hostility towards crypto, the total crypto market cap more than doubled during his term as the SEC chair from $1.82 trillion in April 2021 to $3.73 trillion in December 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Will the crypto industry accelerate its growth under the authority of a pro-crypto U.S. president and SEC chair? We will get back to you on this in 2029.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"faqs\">FAQS<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"man_faq_sec\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/FAQPage\"><\/time><section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">Who is Paul Atkins?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">Paul Atkins is a former SEC commissioner who served under President George W. Bush between August 2002 and 2008. In early December 2024, incoming President Trump announced the nomination of Atkins to be the next chairman of the SEC.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">How long did Gary Gensler serve as SEC Chairman?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">Gary Gensler was appointed as the chairman of the U.S. SEC in April 2021. He stepped down from his position on January 20, 2025.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">Why is Gary Gensler unpopular with crypto investors?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">Since taking office in April 2021, chair Gensler has led an aggressive crackdown on the crypto sector. He has consistently sparked the ire of crypto enthusiasts by maintaining that most cryptocurrencies are securities and by targeting crypto companies and decentralized finance (DeFi) projects.<\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<div class=\"reference-content\">\n<div class=\"reference-heading reference-content-collapsible-heading\">\n<h2><span id=\"references\">References<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"reference-content-body\">\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/patomak.com\/expertise\/strategy-advisory\/#tab-id-6\" target=\"_blank\">Strategy &amp; Advisory &#8211; Patomak Global Partners<\/a> (Patomak)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalchamber.org\/blockchain-industry-and-regulatory-leaders-launch-token-alliance\/\" target=\"_blank\">Blockchain Industry and Regulatory Leaders Launch Token Alliance | The Digital Chamber<\/a> (Digitalchamber)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalchamber.org\/board-advisors-sullivan-atkins\/\" target=\"_blank\">Chamber of Digital Commerce Welcomes Paul Atkins and Colleen Sullivan to Board of Advisors | The Digital Chamber<\/a> (Digitalchamber)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/eLNFa14msRc?si=33T6QyljBhtYYahn\" target=\"_blank\">Keep Your Government Hands Off My Crypto | Guest: Paul Atkins | Ep 215 &#8211; YouTube<\/a> (Youtu)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sec.gov\/newsroom\/speeches-statements\/peirce-statement-token-safe-harbor-proposal-20\" target=\"_blank\">SEC.gov | Token Safe Harbor Proposal 2.0<\/a> (Sec)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Donald Trump\u2019s second term as the president of the United States is set to bring in a swathe of changes. Crypto community members were most excited about Trump\u2019s promise to remove Gary Gensler as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman. Since taking office in April 2021, chair Gensler has led an aggressive crackdown [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":286557,"featured_media":377832,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[601],"tags":[],"category_partsoff":[],"class_list":["post-377826","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blockchain"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.2 (Yoast SEO v24.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why Paul Atkins as SEC Chair Is a Big Deal for Crypto - Techopedia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Gary Gensler voluntarily steps down as SEC chair on January 20, 2025, making way for a pro-crypto successor in Paul Atkins. 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