- Paul Atkins confirmed as the 34th Chair after Senate approval.
- Holds $6M in crypto assets and leads SEC amid XRP ETF reviews.
- Former SEC Commissioner expected to influence digital asset regulations.
Paul Atkins has officially assumed office as the 34th Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). His appointment follows Senate approval earlier this month. Atkins, a former SEC Commissioner and long-time market consultant, replaces Mark Uyeda, who had served in an acting capacity after Gary Gensler’s departure.
Nomination Confirmed After Senate Approval
Atkins was nominated by U.S. President Donald Trump after his 2024 election win. The Senate confirmed Atkins with a 52–44 vote. The confirmation process had been delayed due to scheduling around the Easter holidays and final documentation. Following the swearing-in, Atkins thanked both the President and the Senate for their support.
He formerly operated between 2002 and 2008. During that time, he was involved in key regulatory oversight during the financial crisis. His return comes amid growing expectations around digital asset regulations.
Crypto-Related Background and Assets
Before rejoining the SEC, Atkins served as chief executive of Patomak Global Partners. The company, founded in 2009, developed regulatory practices for digital asset firms. Atkins has worked directly with companies in the blockchain and tokenization space.
In recent disclosures to the Senate, Atkins revealed nearly $6 million in digital asset holdings. These include stakes in Anchorage Digital and Securitize, two firms involved in crypto custody and asset tokenization. Besides his digital holdings, he and his wife reported a joint net worth of $327 million.
Sarah Humphreys Atkins, his wife, is linked to TAMKO Building Products, which earned $1.2 billion in 2023. The Missouri-based company manufactures roofing materials for residential construction.
Role Expected to Influence Crypto Policies
Atkins is set to participate in the third roundtable on digital asset policy. Scheduled participants include Kraken and Fidelity. Discussions will center around custody frameworks, institutional access, and token registration standards.
He enters office at a critical time for crypto regulation. The SEC is currently handling over 17 pending spot XRP ETF applications. The agency is also nearing resolution in its long-running case against Ripple Labs. Coinbase has acknowledged Atkins’ involvement in blockchain projects. They recently added support for Linked Reserve Rights, a crypto token with indirect ties to his initiatives.
During his previous SEC tenure, Atkins gained experience in market oversight and institutional compliance. That background, combined with recent crypto engagements, positions him to influence emerging regulatory directions. With Atkins now officially leading the SEC, the commission is expected to accelerate policy reviews already underway. His leadership marks a new phase for digital asset oversight within U.S. markets.
