SEC Chair Paul Atkins unveils ACT strategy for crypto

SEC Chair Paul Atkins shifts to a pro-innovation crypto stance, launching the ACT strategy and new initiatives to provide clarity, reduce risks, and support digital asset growth in the U.S.

SEC Chair Paul Atkins has initiated a significant shift in the agency’s approach to crypto regulation, moving away from “regulation through enforcement” toward a more innovation-friendly stance. Atkins introduced the “ACT” strategy—Advance, Clarify, and Transform—designed to provide clearer guidance, reduce compliance risks, and promote transparency for crypto market participants. The SEC has launched initiatives such as Project Crypto, unveiled a digital asset taxonomy, and is planning an innovation exemption. These efforts aim to encourage crypto firms to operate within U.S. regulatory boundaries rather than offshore, and to revitalize IPOs by addressing high costs and excessive litigation. This new direction has led to increased confidence in crypto prediction markets, with traders expecting sustained price levels for Bitcoin and Ethereum. The SEC is also enhancing its oversight of prediction markets, signaling a more supportive environment for digital assets in the United States.