SEC Chairman Paul Atkins Speaks About Cryptocurrencies: “A More Solid Foundation Will Be in Place by the End of 2026”

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins made important statements about cryptocurrency markets, tokenization, and the regulatory framework during a program he participated in.

Atkins, the opening guest of the second year of “Crypto In America,” argued that the crypto industry has now evolved from an era of “regulation through sanctions” to one of predictable and clear rules.

When asked what crypto meant to him, Chairman Atkins directly defined the field as “innovation.” Stating that on-chain transactions are revolutionary in making services more efficient and reducing risks, Atkins said, “On-chain exchange and payment systems that were unimaginable 10 years ago are becoming a reality today.”

One of the most striking aspects of the news was the SEC’s new taxonomy (classification) approach. Atkins stated that, unlike the past “everything is a security” approach, they have made a clear distinction.

They stated that they have clarified that digital commodities, collectibles, and instruments are not considered securities. They also reminded that payment-oriented stablecoins are overseen by banking regulators (OCC) and the CFTC, not the SEC. Adhering to the principles of the “Howey Test,” they explained that an asset cannot remain a security forever; its status can end when promises are fulfilled or functionality is gained.

Atkins announced the end of the long-running jurisdictional dispute between the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Describing the release of joint guidance from the two agencies as a “historic moment,” Atkins stated that the appointment of Mike Seelig as CFTC Chairman further strengthened this cooperation.

Expressing his excitement about the modernization of the financial system, the Chairman focused particularly on the tokenization of securities and instant clearing (T0) capabilities. Describing NASDAQ’s transition to a tokenized clearing system as “baby steps,” Atkins stated that such experiments should continue and that the SEC is working on facilitating regulations such as an “Innovation Exemption,” which could become clearer within a few weeks.

Chairman Atkins concluded by stating that they aim to establish a solid foundation for digital asset markets by the end of 2026.

*This is not investment advice.