On April 9, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed Paul Atkins as the new chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with a 52–44 vote. A former SEC commissioner (2002–2008), Atkins has consistently advocated for clearer digital asset regulation. During his confirmation hearing, he noted that regulatory ambiguity has created uncertainty and stifled innovation in the crypto space.
His appointment marks a departure from the stricter stance of his predecessor and comes at a time when the SEC is facing significant staff turnover, which could delay enforcement activity. Atkins is expected to focus on defining clear rules for decentralized digital assets — a long-standing regulatory gap in U.S. crypto policy.
Crypto advocates have welcomed the move. According to Shib.io News, the industry sees Atkins’ confirmation as a sign of a more favorable regulatory climate under the Trump administration.
Markets reacted positively: Bitcoin briefly jumped above $82,000 following the announcement, as investors interpreted the news as a step toward more predictable crypto oversight.
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