Will Paul Atkins Greenlight All 72 Crypto ETFs? Spotlight on XRP, SOL & More

Paul Atkins Takes Helm at SEC: What It Means for Crypto and ETFs

On April 21, Paul Atkins officially assumed his role as the 34th Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), marking a potential turning point in the agency’s approach to digital assets and financial innovation. His nomination by former President Donald Trump and confirmation in the Senate (52-44) has put him squarely in the spotlight—especially among crypto industry watchers.

A Return With Purpose

Atkins isn’t new to the SEC. He previously served as a Commissioner from 2002 to 2008 under President George W. Bush, where he championed transparency and cost-effective regulation. Now back as chair, Atkins brings both experience and a clear agenda—emphasizing rulemaking that protects investors without stifling innovation.

"I’m honored by the trust President Trump and the Senate have placed in me," Atkins said in a statement. "Together with my fellow Commissioners and staff, I intend to uphold our mandate of ensuring fair, orderly, and efficient markets."

His leadership style is already drawing a stark contrast to that of his predecessor, Gary Gensler, whose tenure was widely viewed as combative toward the crypto space.

A Turning Tide for Crypto Regulation

Under Gensler’s leadership, the crypto industry endured over a hundred lawsuits and regulatory crackdowns. Atkins' appointment signals a potential shift away from such aggressive tactics. During his confirmation hearings, he highlighted the need for principled, transparent, and innovation-friendly regulations—an approach that has been welcomed by many in the space.

Atkins also pledged to reduce political influence in securities enforcement and instead pursue a data-driven regulatory framework.

From Consultant to Chair

Before rejoining the SEC, Atkins founded Patomak Global Partners, where he advised on best practices for digital and traditional assets. He also served on the board of BATS Global Markets, further cementing his expertise in financial systems.

His first major test as chair? Tackling the massive backlog of crypto ETF filings. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas notes that there are currently 72 crypto ETF proposals awaiting SEC review. These range from mainstream coins like XRP and Solana to lesser-known tokens like PENGU and “2x Melania.”

Balchunas describes the situation as a “wild year” for crypto, where issuers are throwing every proposal at the wall in hopes that something sticks.

Building on Early Reform

Atkins takes over following a brief transitional period led by Acting Chair Mark Uyeda, who began softening the agency’s stance on crypto. Uyeda disbanded some aggressive enforcement actions and created a dedicated Crypto Task Force, dropping several high-profile cases against companies like Coinbase and Uniswap.

With Atkins now in charge, many expect this recalibration to continue—moving away from litigation-heavy policies and toward clearer guidance and cooperation with the industry.

What’s Next?

If Atkins follows through on his commitments, the U.S. may finally get closer to becoming the crypto hub it's long aspired to be. Both Wall Street and the decentralized finance community are watching closely as the SEC enters what could be a new era of balanced and thoughtful regulation.

Disclaimer: Voice of Crypto strives to provide timely and accurate reporting. However, cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile, and readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before making financial decisions.