Bitcoin 
Ethereum 
Tether 
BNB 
Solana 
XRP 
USDC 
Lido Staked Ether 
Cardano 
Avalanche 
Paul Atkins’ digital asset plan is shaking up the future of crypto regulation in the United States.
The SEC chairman has proposed a bold shift that would allow registered firms to handle both securities and non-securities like Bitcoin and Ethereum under one regulatory structure. According to Atkins, this approach could lower investor costs and ease operations by integrating crypto into a single, federally supervised framework.
Speaking at the SEC Speaks conference, Atkins emphasized the urgency of this transition. “Allowing non-security trading under one roof could speed up federal-level regulation,” he stated. His remarks reflect a sharp pivot from the agency’s prior approach, which he criticized as inconsistent and adversarial.
Instead of subpoenas following informal meetings, Atkins wants clear rules and structured engagement. He confirmed that formal rulemaking is underway, with staff already working on proposals while also providing interim guidance. This shift suggests the SEC is moving from reactive enforcement to proactive regulation.
New crypto rules are in motion
SEC insiders say the staff is actively “clearing the brush” by issuing clarifying statements about how current laws apply to digital assets. Atkins believes this transparency is key for the crypto market to grow within legal boundaries.
The most radical part of Paul Atkins’ digital asset plan includes dissolving FinHub, the SEC’s Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology. This unit was once seen as a resource for innovators, but has recently been associated with enforcement rather than support.
Atkins plans to spread FinHub’s functions across the agency to create a culture of innovation. “Innovation must live SEC-wide,” he said, signaling an organizational transformation.
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Paul Atkins’ digital asset plan targets efficiency and trust
Atkins’s plan isn’t just about rules; it’s about restoring trust between regulators and crypto firms. Many companies felt betrayed after being encouraged to engage with the SEC, only to face legal action. This plan aims to fix that.
By giving regulated firms the authority to manage both securities and digital assets, Atkins believes the market can develop with greater transparency and legitimacy. Investors benefit from streamlined operations and clearer protections.
Crypto industry players are cautiously optimistic. A unified structure for trading both traditional and digital assets could be a turning point. If implemented correctly, the U.S. could become a global leader in digital finance.
SEC aims to lead, not chase, the digital asset future
Paul Atkins’ digital asset plan could be the regulatory reset the industry needs. With clear rules, streamlined systems, and an agency-wide commitment to innovation, the SEC might finally step into the 21st-century financial arena.
Whether Congress approves all the changes or not, Atkins is setting a tone that may shape the next decade of crypto regulation.
