SEC’s Atkins pledges onchain rules after CLARITY Act fail
SEC Chair Paul Atkins said on Sept. 29 that, even after the CLARITY Act failed in Congress, the agency will move ahead to provide guidance on raising capital onchain. The commitment, delivered in a CNBC interview, matters for issuers and platforms exploring tokenized securities and onchain fundraising frameworks.
SEC Chair Paul Atkins said the Securities and Exchange Commission will press forward with guidance for raising capital onchain after the CLARITY Act failed in Congress. In a Sept. 29 interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Atkins framed the agency’s role as providing answers for issuers and platforms pursuing tokenized securities and onchain fundraising.
The remarks followed a wide-ranging discussion that touched on the initial public offering market and trading in tokenized securities before turning to crypto. Atkins underscored that, despite the legislative setback, the SEC intends to outline how onchain capital formation should proceed within existing securities laws.
Why is the SEC moving ahead on onchain fundraising rules?
Atkins said the SEC will provide clarity on onchain fundraising because Congress did not advance the CLARITY Act, leaving market participants seeking regulatory direction. His position signals the agency’s intent to interpret and apply existing securities frameworks to tokenized securities and onchain capital formation without waiting for new legislation.
The chair’s comments came during a Sept. 29 appearance on CNBC’s Squawk Box, where he connected the demand for guidance to active interest in tokenized securities and the broader IPO pipeline. By indicating that “the SEC will provide the answers” on raising capital onchain, Atkins framed the agency’s next steps as filling a policy vacuum left by the failed bill.
What does this mean for issuers and platforms exploring tokenized securities?
Issuers and platforms considering tokenized securities now have a clear signal to expect SEC-defined pathways for onchain capital raises. While details were not released, Atkins’ commitment suggests forthcoming guidance on how existing registration, disclosure, and trading requirements apply when securities are issued or transacted onchain.
That direction could influence how offerings are structured, how intermediaries handle tokenized instruments, and how secondary trading is conducted. The message, delivered on Sept. 29, indicates the agency seeks to reduce uncertainty that followed the CLARITY Act’s failure, aligning onchain fundraising with established securities compliance expectations.
What should market participants watch next?
Watch for the SEC to articulate specific procedures or interpretations governing onchain fundraising and tokenized securities. Atkins signaled the agency will “provide the answers,” implying staff guidance, policy statements, or interpretive actions that map existing rules to onchain issuance and trading.
Market participants should also track subsequent public statements and any timelines the SEC provides as it moves from intent to implementation. The Sept. 29 remarks establish direction; the next step is concrete guidance that clarifies how to raise capital onchain under securities law.
Editor’s note: This article reflects statements made by SEC Chair Paul Atkins in a Sept. 29 CNBC interview and focuses on his stated intent to advance onchain fundraising guidance despite the CLARITY Act’s failure in Congress.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always conduct your own research (DYOR) and consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Share
The crypto brief, in your inbox
BTC, markets, and the stories that moved crypto — daily, no noise.
