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SEC Chair nominee Paul Atkins vows to replace vague enforcement tactics with transparent crypto regulations, signaling a pro-innovation shift in U.S. policy.
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XRP investors eye potential legal clarity as Atkins’ nomination sparks hope for fairer treatment of digital assets under the SEC.
Paul Atkins, the nominee for Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has articulated a commitment to establishing clear regulatory guidelines for the cryptocurrency sector. Previously, CNF shared a similar perspective on the SEC’s decision to delay rulings on XRP and other cryptocurrencies.
During his nomination hearing before the Senate Banking Committee, Atkins emphasized the need for a structured and principled approach to digital assets, aiming to build a reliable regulatory framework through collaboration with fellow commissioners and Congress.
➡️STARTING SOON: Chairman @SenatorTimScott presides over a full committee hearing on President Trump's nominees for @SECGov, @USOCC, @USTreasury and @FTA_DOT.
Watch: https://t.co/9qPzqoSX5h
— U.S. Senate Banking Committee GOP (@BankingGOP) March 27, 2025
A Shift Toward Regulatory Clarity
Atkins’ stance marks a shift away from the SEC’s prior “regulation by enforcement” strategy, widely criticized under former Chair Gary Gensler for its ambiguity and reactive nature.
Atkins has pledged to restore the agency’s credibility by focusing on foundational principles and aligning actions with its core mission. According to Invest, he criticized several aspects of Gensler’s tenure, including court-overturned rulemaking, high staff attrition, and controversial enforcement actions against crypto firms.
Atkins criticized aspects of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s tenure, highlighting concerns over federal courts overturning rulemaking initiatives, increased staff attrition, and controversial enforcement actions against cryptocurrency firms.
Personal Investments and Potential Conflicts
Financial disclosures show Atkins holds nearly $6 million in cryptocurrency-related investments, including equity in Anchorage Digital and stakes in Off the Chain Capital.
These holdings have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. Senator Elizabeth Warren called the scale of these investments “breathtaking.” It remains unclear whether Atkins will divest these assets if confirmed.
Implications for XRP and the Broader Crypto Market
As previously reported by CNF, when news broke that pro-crypto Atkins was being considered for SEC Chair, tokens like XRP and RSR experienced notable rallies.
Now, with his formal nomination, the crypto community—especially Ripple and XRP investors—is watching closely. At the time of writing, XRP is trading at approximately $2.25, down 4.47% in the past 24 hours and 6.82% over the past week, according to Coin Market Cap data.
Atkins’ push for regulatory clarity could play a pivotal role in resolving ongoing legal battles involving XRP, potentially influencing its long-term market trajectory. See XRP price chart below.
