Newly appointed SEC Chairman Paul Atkins delivered a bold critique of his predecessor’s approach to digital assets, decrying years of regulatory uncertainty and promising to usher in a new era of clarity for the crypto industry in his opening remarks at the SEC’s crypto roundtable on commerce.

“Innovation has unfortunately been stifled over the last several years due to market and regulatory uncertainty fostered by the SEC,” Atkins said. “Market participants interested in this technology deserve clear, regulatory rules of the road.”

Atkins specifically stated his commitment to collaborating with both market participants and policymakers in the Trump administration. “I look forward to engaging with market participants and working with my colleagues in President Trump’s administration and in Congress to establish a rational and purposeful framework for crypto assets,” Atkins said in his first public appearance since taking over as chairman of the agency.

Atkins also expressed optimism about the broader potential of digital assets, saying he expected “big benefits” including risk reduction and cost reduction.

Commissioner Hester Peirce, a longtime advocate of crypto innovation, echoed Atkins’ sentiments during a hearing on the SEC’s newly formed Crypto Task Force. “Those who register with the SEC to engage in crypto-related activities have been forced to jump from one poorly lit regulatory landscape to another,” Peirce said.

*This is not investment advice.

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