Crypto Industry Sees New Dawn as Paul Atkins Takes Helm at SEC
From Fear to Optimism: Digital Asset Leaders Applaud the Regulatory Shift Under Atkins
The swearing-in of Paul Atkins as the new Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 21 has triggered a wave of optimism across the crypto industry, marking what many believe could be a pivotal shift in regulatory climate.
Atkins, a former SEC commissioner known for his deregulatory stance, replaces Gary Gensler, whose aggressive enforcement and lawsuits became synonymous with the crypto crackdown over the past few years.
Crypto Leaders Speak Out: “A Golden Age Is Coming”
In the latest episode of Byte-Sized Insight on Cointelegraph, crypto executives expressed cautious excitement over what Atkins’ leadership could mean for innovation, investor confidence, and legal clarity.
Chris Perkins, President of CoinFund, was blunt in his assessment of the past:
“We were under this regulatory reign of terror… Investors are fine with market risk—but not reputational or regulatory risk.”
Perkins believes that removing this fear could unleash a flood of institutional capital and reignite developer activity in the U.S. market.
“Now you’re taking that personal liability off… this is going to be a golden age for venture and value creation.”
Legal Clarity, Not Chaos
Katherine Dowling, General Counsel and Chief Commercial Officer at Bitwise Asset Management, emphasized that the change isn’t about eliminating regulation—it’s about defining digital assets properly.
“The mood has already changed. Cases are being dropped—not because regulation is ending—but because we need better definitions and frameworks.”
She framed Atkins’ arrival as a “signal shift” toward regulatory clarity, allowing innovation without arbitrary enforcement.
Access to Markets May Open Again
James Gernetzke, CFO at Exodus, said the promise of rational engagement with the SEC is already having an effect:
“You’re going to see more normal timeframes for IPOs and a reopening of capital markets.”
He hinted that by the end of the year, the IPO pipeline could start flowing again—especially if regulatory confidence returns.
The Market Structure Bill Could Be a Game-Changer
Looking ahead, Perkins pointed to the incoming market structure bill as a crucial enabler:
“This bill is going to have a really big impact… It gives clarity on what the asset is and how we can form capital around it.”
If passed, the bill could lay the foundation for consistent disclosure practices and institutional participation in the crypto space.
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