US Senate Confirms Paul Atkins as SEC Chair Under Trump

Paul Atkins Confirmed as SEC Chair, Marking a Pro-Crypto Pivot at the Commission

The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed Paul Atkins as the new chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), following a 52–44 vote largely along party lines on April 9. The confirmation ushers in a potentially transformative chapter for the SEC, particularly in how it approaches the regulation of digital assets.

Atkins, a seasoned Wall Street consultant and former SEC commissioner (2002–2008), was nominated by President Donald Trump in late 2024. He will succeed Mark Uyeda, who served as acting chair following the resignation of Gary Gensler in January.

In a statement released the day of his confirmation, SEC commissioners said:

“A veteran of our Commission, we look forward to him joining with us, along with our dedicated staff, to fulfill our mission on behalf of the investing public.”

A Track Record in Finance and Crypto Advocacy

Since leaving the SEC in 2009, Atkins founded the financial consulting firm Patomak Global Partners, focusing on regulatory compliance and risk management. He also served as co-chair of the crypto industry advocacy group Token Alliance from 2017 through late 2024.

His experience in both traditional finance and blockchain advocacy positions him as a key figure in shaping the SEC's next phase, especially under an administration aiming to ease regulatory burdens on crypto innovation.

Atkins has already indicated his priorities, stating during his March confirmation hearing:

Source: Cynthia Lummis

“One of my top goals is to provide a firm regulatory foundation for digital assets through a rational, coherent, and principled approach.”

Trump Administration Shifts SEC Toward Crypto Clarity

Atkins’ appointment continues a broader pro-crypto trend within the Trump administration. Under Trump’s leadership, the SEC formed a Crypto Task Force to collaborate with the digital asset industry and rolled back several enforcement actions initiated under former Chair Gary Gensler.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott welcomed the confirmation, saying:

“Atkins will provide regulatory clarity for digital assets, allowing American innovation to flourish and ensuring we remain competitive on the global stage.”

Confirmation Delayed by Financial Disclosures

Atkins' confirmation was reportedly delayed due to financial disclosures related to his marriage to Sarah Humphreys Atkins, a member of the billionaire family behind TAMKO Building Products LLC. According to Forbes, TAMKO posted $1.2 billion in revenue in 2023, and the couple’s combined net worth is estimated at over $327 million.

Among the disclosed assets were crypto-related investments valued up to $6 million, including stakes in Anchorage Digital, a crypto custody firm, and Securitize, a platform focused on tokenizing real-world assets, Fortune reported.

While some critics raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest, the confirmation ultimately moved forward, cementing Atkins’ role as the SEC’s new chief at a time of growing industry demand for regulatory clarity in the crypto space.