SEC Chair to Create “Future-Proof” Framework for Crypto

Key Highlights

• SEC Chairman Paul Atkins reveals his top priority to create a “future-proof” regulatory framework for the crypto
• This framework will provide crypto market protection against regulatory mischief
• SEC fast-tracks a pro-innovation framework from the White House

In a thread posted on X (formerly Twitter), SEC Chairman Paul Atkins has revealed his top priority, which is the creation of a robust regulatory framework designed to “future-proof” the cryptocurrency markets. 

According to the thread, this impressive initiative comes from clear recommendations by the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets. It is expected to move beyond reactive enforcement and instead build a resilient structure that protects innovation and investors.

“The President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets released clear recommendations for the SEC—and we’re setting out to implement them as soon as we can,” Paul Atkins said.  

“We must craft a framework that future-proofs the crypto markets against regulatory mischief. I look forward to working with my counterparts across the Administration and Congress to get the job done,” he added further. 

SEC’s Pro-Crypto Stance Opens Door for Friendly Regulations

The statement from SEC Chairman Paul Atkins was shared during a discussion at a blockchain event in Wyoming, which was part of the SALT Conference, and he posted about it online on August 20, 2025.

In his comments, he focused on his main goals as the head of the SEC, specifically talking about a new effort called ‘Project Crypto’ and his desire to make the process for companies to go public, known as IPOs, strong and attractive again. 

He brought up a recent report from a special group created by the President, which gave clear advice for the SEC on how to update its rules. This is all part of supporting President Donald Trump’s aim for the United States to become the leading global center for cryptocurrency. 

The way the United States government deals with cryptocurrency has changed a great deal in 2025 with the new administration, moving on from the previous strategy that relied heavily on legal punishments. 

Early in the year, the President signed an order to create a special working group focused on digital assets. This group, led by David Sacks, finished a report at the end of July that contained eighteen suggestions for improving the country’s position in financial technology. 

These ideas include creating better definitions for different types of digital assets, setting up safe testing environments for new products known as regulatory sandboxes, and making it possible to trade these assets under clear federal rules. 

The group has a very strict timeline to review current regulations, suggest changes, and deliver a complete plan for a new framework, which might even include the government building its own reserve of cryptocurrency from assets it has taken control of, all supporting the broader goal of American leadership in blockchain.

There has also been important movement on new laws in Congress. One significant bill that has passed the House of Representatives establishes wide-ranging rules for the crypto industry, and the Senate is now looking at comparable proposals. 

Other proposed laws are designed to clearly define which government agency, either the SEC or a different one called the CFTC, is in charge of overseeing various types of digital assets. 

For instance, one proposal suggests that assets on decentralized networks should be treated like commodities and regulated by the CFTC, while assets from centralized companies should be seen as securities and stay under the SEC’s watch. 

Furthermore, a new law about stablecoins, which are a specific type of cryptocurrency, was already signed into law early in the year, representing a major step forward for establishing clear rules for the industry.

In a noticeable change from the past, the SEC has temporarily stopped its aggressive legal actions against some of the biggest companies in the crypto space. 

This new approach of working with the industry is a big shift away from the previous method, which many felt was governed mostly by launching lawsuits and using an old legal test to argue that most cryptocurrencies should be considered securities. 

There are still some ongoing court cases that highlight the continuing debate over these issues, but the general direction is now toward finding clarity and cooperation instead of confrontation.

A central part of this new direction is the SEC’s own Project Crypto, which was officially started by Chairman Atkins at the end of July. The main objective of this project is to update the country’s securities rules to better fit the world of digital assets and to help make the U.S. the top market for crypto. 

The leader of this effort is Commissioner Hester Peirce, who has long been known for her supportive views on innovation. Similarly, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made a huge statement earlier, not once but twice. First, he declared that the federal government would not be buying more Bitcoin to expand its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, a move that sent ripples through the crypto market.