The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is changing course on how it regulates cryptocurrencies. At the inaugural OECD Roundtable on Global Financial Markets in Paris, SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins declared that the “era of uncertainty is coming to an end,” with America preparing to embrace digital assets as part of its financial system.
For years, the SEC leaned heavily on lawsuits and enforcement actions, a strategy critics said “drove jobs and startups abroad.” Atkins admitted this approach hurt innovation. Now, through a new initiative called Project Crypto, the SEC promises clear frameworks for token launches and compliance.
“Ad hoc enforcement actions will no longer set policy,” Atkins said.
Project Crypto: A New Framework
Project Crypto is designed to modernize securities laws, provide clear token classifications, and offer entrepreneurs a predictable path forward. This marks a major break from the past, where companies feared sudden clampdowns after launching projects.
Atkins emphasized that the SEC will move away from its “regulation by enforcement” model. The new approach will better define which tokens qualify as securities and which do not, giving startups firm legal ground to innovate.
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He also signaled support for super-app platforms, where trading, lending, and staking could operate under one regulatory umbrella. This vision closely mirrors the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regime, a move aimed at keeping the U.S. globally competitive.
Atkins’ announcement follows pressure from the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets, which urged regulators to speed up digital asset rules. With Europe and Asia advancing their own crypto frameworks, Atkins made it clear: the U.S. cannot afford to lag.
AI in Finance
Interestingly, Atkins also touched on the role of artificial intelligence in finance. He predicted a future where AI-powered agents manage trading, risk, and market flows.
“AI could unlock lower costs, faster markets, and wider access for investors,” Atkins noted.
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FAQs
Project Crypto is a new SEC initiative to modernize securities laws, provide clear token classifications, and create a predictable regulatory framework for the crypto industry.
The SEC will provide clear definitions to distinguish which tokens qualify as securities and which do not, giving startups firm legal ground for innovation and compliance.
While a specific timeline wasn’t given, the process involves moving from ad hoc enforcement to formal rulemaking, creating frameworks for token launches and super-app platforms.
It follows pressure from the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets to speed up digital asset rules and keep the U.S. competitive with frameworks like the EU’s MiCA.
Chairman Atkins predicted AI will power agents that manage trading and risk, unlocking lower costs, faster markets, and wider investor access in the future.
