Catenaa, Thursday, August 21, 2025- SEC Chair Paul Atkins announced a significant shift in U.S. crypto regulation, pledging to end “regulation by enforcement” and implement policies aimed at fostering innovation through his new “Project Crypto” initiative.
The program seeks to draw crypto businesses to the United States by providing tailored disclosures, exemptions, and safe harbors for offerings including ICOs, airdrops, and network rewards.
Atkins emphasized that most digital assets are not securities by default, marking a departure from prior SEC stances and aligning with recommendations from the Trump administration’s recent 168-page crypto policy report.
Speaking at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium in Jackson Hole, Atkins told attendees that the regulator now seeks to “embrace innovation” and alleviate legal uncertainty for industry participants.
The initiative arrives amid ongoing legislative efforts to define the U.S. crypto market structure. Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott noted that a vote on key crypto legislation could come down to a few decisive votes, with some Democrats who previously backed stablecoin legislation potentially abstaining.
Industry lobbying has intensified in response. Firms such as Andreessen Horowitz and the DeFi Education Fund have formally requested protections for developers of decentralized applications that interact with securities, even in cases where projects have some central control.
Atkins’ approach represents a marked change, signaling a more permissive regulatory environment aimed at supporting the continued growth of crypto and blockchain projects in the US.
