President Trump’s SEC Chair, Paul Atkins, has affirmed that the SEC is mobilizing all its divisions to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the world.
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, President Donald Trump has made it clear that he wants the United States to dominate the global crypto market.
His administration has already taken major steps toward that goal by appointing crypto advocate Paul Atkins as SEC Chair, creating a national Bitcoin reserve, and reversing restrictive digital asset rules from the previous administration.
SEC Chair Atkins Affirms Mission to Make America the Global Crypto Capital
The latest step so far is “Project Crypto,” an initiative from the SEC looking to modernize digital asset regulation. This week, Atkins appeared on FOX Business’ Mornings with Maria to discuss the plan and explain how the agency will help turn Trump’s pro-crypto vision into reality.
Atkins said the push gained momentum after the President’s Working Group on digital assets released its latest report. The group, which includes the SEC, presented specific actions to make the U.S. the world’s crypto capital and ensure that global blockchain adoption relies on American innovation.
Importantly, the SEC Chair explained that the agency is mobilizing every division, including corporation finance and investment management, to get the job done.
Notably, the SEC is updating regulations to include the crypto sector while working with Congress on new legislation. Atkins pointed to the recent signing of the GENIUS Act at the White House as an important milestone and noted that several other crypto-friendly bills will be back on the table once lawmakers return from recess.
Project Crypto and the SEC’s Pro-Crypto Stance
For the uninitiated, Project Crypto seeks to remove uncertainty in the digital asset sector by creating clear rules for token distribution, custody, and trading. It narrows the scope of securities laws for crypto, meaning most digital assets would no longer be treated as securities.
The plan focuses on five priorities: defining clear classifications for crypto assets, giving investors freedom to choose their custody and trading options, supporting all-in-one “super-app” trading platforms, boosting on-chain innovation and DeFi, and introducing fast-track approvals for new products.
The SEC also plans to work with other regulators, like the CFTC, to cut overlapping rules. In addition, they seek to strengthen competition and attract crypto businesses back to U.S. soil.
Atkins confirmed that the agency will use both formal rule changes and targeted exemptions to update outdated securities laws. Specifically, the goal is to get the right balance between protecting investors and encouraging the growth of decentralized finance.
Notably, his FOX Business interview builds on a series of pro-crypto statements he’s made this year. In April, during the Crypto Custody Roundtable, Atkins criticized the old “Operation Chokepoint 2.0” approach for leaving the U.S. with too few crypto custody options.
Meanwhile, three months back at the “SEC Speaks” event, he highlighted the importance of “super-apps” that can handle both securities and non-securities under a single license. Last month, Atkins claimed that the U.S. government has placed a stamp of approval on crypto.
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