Michaela
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Paul Atkins, the former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) commissioner, to succeed Gary Gensler as the head of the agency, following Gensler’s expected resignation in January 2025.
Trump announced his nomination of Atkins for the SEC chair position on Truth Social, the social media platform owned by Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG).
In his post, Trump commended Atkins as a strong advocate for practical, commonsense regulations, emphasizing his leadership experience and approach to the financial industry.
“He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of investors, and that provide capital to make our economy the best in the world,” Trump wrote.
According to reports, Trump offered Atkins the role of SEC chair on December 3. However, sources close to the situation revealed that Atkins expressed hesitancy about accepting the role. He cited concerns over the substantial reforms required to address what he views as mismanagement under the current SEC chair.
Despite Trump’s confirmation, Atkins’ nomination must be confirmed by the Senate before it becomes official.
Related: Florida Court Lets $80M Binance Bitcoin Lawsuit Move Forward
Atkins’ Path Towards SEC Chairmanship
Paul Atkins was a former Commissioner and staffer under two previous SEC Chairs, Richard Breeden and Arthur Levitt. This experience has given him a comprehensive understanding of the agency’s operations and regulatory processes.
In his post, Trump emphasized Atkins’ extensive experience in the digital assets industry, citing his role as Co-Chairman of the Digital Chamber’s Token Alliance. Trump also noted that Atkins’ work and research in this sector make him a strong candidate for the position of SEC Chair.
Atkins is a vocal critic of overregulation and has argued for streamlining regulatory processes to promote growth and innovation in the financial sector, including in the cryptocurrency space.
Crypto Advocates React
Crypto industry leaders and politicians have expressed strong support for Atkins’ potential appointment as SEC Chair. Many view his deep experience in the digital assets space as a promising step toward more balanced regulation of the sector.
Related: US CFTC Approves Spot Crypto Trading on Regulated Exchanges
Teresa Goody Guillen, who was previously rumored to be in contention for the role of SEC Chair, reacted to Paul Atkins’ nomination on X. She expressed confidence that Atkins would guide the SEC to “become the effective and trusted agency it is meant to be.”
U.S. Congressman Tom Emmer, a prominent advocate for cryptocurrency innovation, expressed strong support for Atkins’ nomination as SEC Chair. Emmer praised Atkins for his recognition that “regulation by enforcement” is a losing strategy.
Paul Grewal, the Chief Legal Officer of Coinbase, congratulated Atkins on his nomination to lead the SEC, expressing optimism about the prospect of new leadership at the agency.
Read More
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MICHAELA
Michaela is a news writer focused on cryptocurrency and blockchain topics. She prioritizes rigorous research and accuracy to uncover interesting angles and ensure engaging reporting. A lifelong book lover, she applies her passion for reading to deeply explore the constantly evolving crypto world.
