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- Zafar Naik
Zafar Naik
- Reviewed by:
Qadir AKQadir Ak is the founder of Coinpedia. He has over a decade of experience writing about technology and has been covering the blockchain and cryptocurrency space since 2010. He has also interviewed a few prominent experts within the cryptocurrency space.
- Sep 15, 2025 11:58 UTC
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How Is Trump’s SEC Chair Paul Atkins Crypto Approach Different from Gensler?
Paul Atkins’ SEC under Trump softens enforcement and shifts focus to crypto innovation.
Most tokens won’t be treated like stocks, and Project Crypto aims to simplify rules.
The U.S. aims to become a crypto hub with clearer, business-friendly regulation.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is heading in a new direction. Paul Atkins, Donald Trump’s pick to lead the agency, has promised to scrap the aggressive enforcement style of former chair Gary Gensler. In its place: a friendlier, clearer approach and a big push to put crypto at the center of U.S. finance.
Read more.
From Crackdowns to Clarity
Atkins says the SEC should go after real fraudsters, not firms caught in technical slip-ups. “If you lie, cheat or steal [from] your investors and steal their money like Bernie Madoff, we’ll leave you naked, homeless and without wheels,” he told the Financial Times.
But for minor violations? The new chair argues businesses deserve notice before regulators “bash down their door.”
It’s a direct break from Gensler’s era, which critics say relied too heavily on fines and lawsuits.
A Different Take on Crypto
One of Atkins’ biggest departures is his stance on digital assets. While Gensler insisted most tokens were securities, Atkins says “most tokens should not be treated like stocks.” That shift could reshape how crypto projects operate in the U.S.
His answer is Project Crypto – a plan to bring rules for trading, lending, and staking under one simple license. The goal is to make compliance easier while giving investors confidence. Atkins also sees tokenized stocks and bonds trading on blockchain 24/7 as the future, if the rules can keep up.
Trump’s Push: Making the U.S. the Crypto Capital
Atkins’ vision lines up with Trump’s promise to make America the “crypto capital of the world.” Since January, the SEC has quietly dropped several crypto cases. That move alone shows how quickly the regulatory mood is shifting.
Trump himself is openly bullish on the sector, reporting millions in income from crypto ventures and even has his own $TRUMP memecoin. With political backing this strong, the industry sees a clear opening.
What Comes Next
The SEC under Atkins is also exploring bold ideas. He has floated the rise of “super apps” that let users trade, stake, and lend from one platform under a single rulebook. He’s also working with the CFTC on joint rules for DeFi and tokenized assets.
Washington is no longer treating crypto as a threat. For startups, that could mean more room to grow in the U.S. For investors, it could mean new opportunities but also fresh risks if oversight loosens too much.
Either way, the shift is clear. The Gensler era of clampdowns is over. Atkins is betting that clarity, not fear, is the way to make the U.S. the next global leader in crypto.
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FAQs
The new SEC, led by Paul Atkins, is moving from aggressive enforcement to a friendlier, clearer approach focused on creating a streamlined license for crypto projects.
Gary Gensler insisted most tokens were securities. Paul Atkins believes most should not be treated like stocks and is working on Project Crypto to simplify regulations.
Project Crypto is a plan to bring trading, lending, and staking rules for digital assets under one simple license. The goal is to make compliance easier for businesses.
The new approach could create new opportunities for investors by making crypto more accessible. However, it also introduces fresh risks if oversight becomes too loose.
Yes 
No 
