<div id="readability-page-1"><div><div><h2>Trump Appointee Paul Atkins Takes Over As SEC Chair With Focus On Clear Crypto Rules</h2><p>Paul Atkins has officially begun his term as the new Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, stepping into the role as the agency’s 34th leader after being nominated by President Trump in January and confirmed by the Senate.</p><p>His swearing-in took place on 21 April following delays due to final documentation and the Easter holiday period.</p><div><div><blockquote><div dir="ltr" lang="en"><p>🚨JUST IN: Paul Atkins has been officially sworn in as new SEC chair! </p><p>The SEC in the United States is officially a pro crypto administration! #XRPpic.twitter.com/1UQsD1bXts</p></div>— JackTheRippler ©️ (@RippleXrpie) April 21, 2025</blockquote></div></div><h2>Why Paul Atkins' Return Matters For The SEC And Crypto Industry</h2><p>Atkins brings decades of experience in capital markets and has long been known for his stance on regulatory balance.  </p><p>During his confirmation hearings, he stressed the need for a “rational, coherent, and principled” framework that encourages innovation while reducing uncertainty.  </p><p>This approach has been welcomed by those in the digital asset space, who view the current environment as clouded by ambiguity.  </p><p>His previous role as an SEC Commissioner from 2002 to 2008 under President George W. Bush gave him firsthand experience in overseeing market reforms and advocating for transparent and consistent rulemaking. </p><p><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://image.coinlive.com/cryptotwits-static/b3e18b89609667b62638869062f1014a.jpg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="390" height="241" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://image.coinlive.com/cryptotwits-static/b3e18b89609667b62638869062f1014a.jpg"/></p><p><em><span>As a commissioner in Fall 2002, Paul Atkins (first from the left) worked with Cynthia Glassman, Harvey Pitt, Harvey Goldschmid, and Roel Campos on the SEC Commission. (Source: sechistorical.org)</span></em></p><p>He also worked closely with other regulatory bodies as part of the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets and the US-EU Transatlantic Economic Council.</p><h2>A Long Career Spanning Public Service And Private Sector Leadership</h2><p>Before his return to the SEC, Atkins led Patomak Global Partners, a consultancy he founded in 2009.  </p><p>The firm focused on financial market practices, including guidance for digital asset companies.  </p><p>His private sector background also includes a stint as non-executive chairman of BATS Global Markets from 2012 to 2015.  </p><p>Atkins began his career as a lawyer in New York, advising on mergers, acquisitions, and securities offerings.  </p><p>From 1990 to 1994, he served in senior staff roles under SEC Chairmen Richard Breeden and Arthur Levitt, including as chief of staff.</p><div><div><blockquote><div dir="ltr" lang="en"><p>Bye Gary, the new face of SEC: Paul Atkins</p><p>🏛️ 1980s: Corporate lawyer, Davis Polk (NY, Paris)<br/>🇫🇷 1988: Admitted as legal advisor in France<br/>📊 1990–1994: SEC staffer under Breeden and Levitt<br/>💼 Mid-1990s: Led Bennett Funding fraud recovery<br/>🧑‍⚖️ 2002–2008: 1 of 5 SEC Commissioners… pic.twitter.com/oikm1AU8uF</p></div>— Lawrence Samantha 💫 (@LawrenceGS) April 22, 2025</blockquote></div></div><h2>Will A Pro-Crypto Leadership Change SEC’s Approach?</h2><p>Atkins’ appointment has raised expectations across the digital asset industry.  </p><p>Notably, he holds nearly $6 million in crypto assets himself.  </p><div><div><blockquote><div dir="ltr" lang="en"><p>🚨 LATEST: SEC Chair nominee Paul Atkins discloses $327M in assets ahead of confirmation hearing scheduled on March 27, with up to $6M in crypto investments.</p><p>Atkins held a board seat on Securitize until February and owns up to $500K in call options. He also holds equity in… pic.twitter.com/NGV6MtjrXv</p></div>— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) March 26, 2025</blockquote></div></div><p>His pro-innovation stance signals a likely shift in the Commission’s posture on digital assets, especially as the SEC faces major decisions around crypto custody, market structure, and ETFs.  </p><p>The new Chair is expected to participate in the SEC’s upcoming crypto policy roundtable, where topics such as asset custody and regulation will be debated with firms like Kraken and Fidelity.  </p><p>This appearance would position Atkins at the heart of regulatory discussions in his early days in office.  </p><h2>More Than 17 XRP Spot ETFs Await Decision Under New Chair</h2><p>One of the most immediate challenges Atkins faces is the backlog of cryptocurrency-related filings.  </p><p>Over 17 XRP spot ETF applications are pending review, and the industry is closely watching to see whether his leadership will result in quicker decisions.</p><div><div><blockquote><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The SEC is awaiting the confirmation of Paul Atkins before approving the XRP ETFs.⏰ pic.twitter.com/2lOlLt5P91</p>— SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) March 14, 2025</blockquote></div></div><p>Additionally, Atkins steps in as the Commission’s legal standoff with Ripple nears a potential resolution.  </p><p>A joint motion to suspend appeals in the case has already been approved, with some legal observers suggesting delays should now be minimal.  </p><p>One pro-XRP attorney reacted to the latest court move, saying,</p><blockquote>“No more excuses for delays.”</blockquote><h2>Crypto Enforcement Actions Still Ongoing As SEC Changes Course</h2><p>Despite the expected regulatory shift, enforcement continues.  </p><p>Just days before Atkins’ swearing-in, Oregon filed a securities action against Coinbase, reviving an older legal approach.  </p><p>It’s a reminder that while leadership may change, the SEC’s mandate to protect investors remains unchanged.  </p><p>As Atkins begins his term, he stated, </p><blockquote>“I am honored by the trust and confidence President Trump and the Senate have placed in me to lead the SEC.”  </blockquote><p>He added that he looks forward to working with the Commission’s professionals to “facilitate capital formation; maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and protect investors.”</p></div></div></div>

COIN

<p>Paul Atkins has been sworn in as the new Chairman of the SEC, raising hopes for a pro-crypto approach. His focus on clear regulations aims to reduce uncertainty in the digital asset space. With over 17 XRP spot ETF applications pending, the industry anticipates quicker decisions under his leadership. Atkins, who has significant personal investments in crypto, is expected to influence the SEC's stance on digital assets, while enforcement actions continue, as seen with Oregon's recent case against Coinbase.</p>

- Paul Atkins has officially taken over as the new Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, focusing on establishing clear regulations for the cryptocurrency industry.  
- His appointment is expected to bring a pro-innovation approach, addressing the backlog of cryptocurrency-related filings, including over 17 pending XRP spot ETF applications.  
- Despite anticipated regulatory changes, enforcement actions continue, as seen with Oregon's recent securities action against Coinbase, highlighting the SEC's ongoing commitment to investor protection.

Paul Atkins’ SEC Chair Appointment Raises Hopes For XRP ETF Approvals: Can His Leadership Change The SEC’s Crypto Approach?