Blockchain Could Reshape Finance, Says Paul Atkins

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Blockchain Could Reshape Finance, Says SEC Chair Paul Atkins

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: May 13, 2025

Key Takeaways

SEC Chair Paul Atkins says blockchain could unlock new financial tools beyond what current laws were designed to handle;
The SEC will move away from rulemaking through enforcement and instead focus on clear policies for crypto markets;
According to Atkins, a new crypto framework will define securities and expand broker offerings.

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The head of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Paul Atkins, spoke about how blockchain technology could lead to new ways of handling investments.

Speaking at the SEC’s May 12 roundtable on digital assets and tokenization, Atkins said blockchain could change how financial markets work and open the door to ideas that older laws did not expect.

He also explained that instead of relying on enforcement actions to set the rules, the SEC will focus on creating clear policies using its existing authority. This means companies can expect more predictable rules rather than finding out they have broken them after the fact.

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Atkins called it "a new day at the SEC" and said future decisions would be based on rulemaking, guidance, and exemptions when appropriate.

One of the SEC’s main goals will be to build a clear system for how crypto-related investments are issued, stored, and traded. This system should be easy to follow while still preventing illegal behavior.

Atkins said the agency will work to define what counts as a security in the crypto industry and will give guidance on how those assets should be treated. He added that they also want to let brokers offer a wider mix of investment options, even if some of those are not traditional securities.

Atkins compared it to how music formats evolved, from records and tapes to digital files. He said each new format made it easier for people to use music across different platforms. Eventually, this led to streaming, which changed how people access music and helped grow the economy.

Meanwhile, nearly 30 crypto advocacy organizations recently asked the SEC to clarify the rules around crypto staking. What prompted this action? Read the full story.