The U.S. crypto industry is on edge as the Senate prepares to discuss the potential appointment of Paul Atkins as the new SEC Chairman on March 27. The former SEC commissioner, known for his pro-crypto stance, was nominated by Donald Trump on December 4, and if confirmed, his leadership could mark a major shift in regulatory policy.

Trump Backs Atkins for a Crypto-Friendly SEC

Atkins’ nomination comes at a time of major upheaval within the SEC. Following Gary Gensler’s resignation on January 20, the agency has been temporarily led by Mark Uyeda.

Gensler was widely regarded as hostile towards crypto, enforcing stringent policies and legal actions against industry leaders. If Atkins is confirmed, it would represent a sharp break from this aggressive stance, ushering in a pro-market, innovation-friendly regulatory era.

Atkins is no stranger to the SEC, having served as Commissioner from 2002 to 2008. Since then, he founded Patomak Global Partners, a consultancy with deep ties to the crypto world. He is also an advisor to The Digital Chamber, one of the most influential blockchain advocacy groups.

However, his confirmation has been delayed due to financial disclosure concerns, particularly regarding his wife’s billionaire family fortune.

The SEC’s Growing Crypto Pivot

Atkins’ potential appointment aligns with a noticeable shift in SEC policy over the past few weeks. The agency has recently revoked controversial accounting guidelines that burdened crypto firms, and dropped lawsuits against major players like Coinbase, OpenSea, Uniswap, and Ripple—a clear sign of a softening stance.

Meanwhile, over 60 applications for spot crypto ETFs are pending approval, reflecting rising institutional interest. If Atkins is confirmed swiftly, he could immediately impact these critical decisions.

With the March 27 hearing fast approaching, crypto investors and industry leaders are watching closely. If the Senate confirms Atkins, it could be the beginning of a historic regulatory shift—one that transforms the U.S. from a crypto battleground into a global leader in blockchain innovation.

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James Frost

I trade cryptocurrencies based on fundamentals, TA and indicators. It started as a hobby, then part time and currently full time for more than 2 years. This kind of trading and analysis is endless daily work. This means throwing all previous analyzes in the trash and starting day-to-day again. My previous experiences: CryptoSvet.cz