SEC Chair Prioritises Cryptocurrency Regulation

SEC prioritises cryptocurrency regulation, says chairman Paul Atkins.

Regulating the cryptocurrency market is evidently the “number one task” for the SEC. This was stated by the agency’s chairman, Paul Atkins, to journalists on the sidelines of a roundtable with the CFTC, reports CoinDesk.

The meeting of representatives from the two agencies focused on cooperation in industry oversight and delineation of powers.

Both agencies will continue to play a key role in regulating digital asset markets. The SEC will oversee operations with cryptocurrencies classified as securities, while the CFTC will have jurisdiction over most tokens—those recognised as commodities.

The agency leaders noted that effective oversight requires a “flawless” distinction between these two types of assets.

“We must work in unison. The main thing is to create a system where our agencies will seamlessly coordinate their actions,” said Atkins.

Acting CFTC Chair Caroline Pham emphasised that “the turf war is over.”

In discussions with journalists, the SEC head highlighted the area of asset tokenisation. He estimated that developing regulatory rules for this activity will take up to two years.

“But the potential [of the segment] is virtually limitless,” added Atkins.

He also dismissed suggestions of a possible merger between the SEC and CFTC, calling them “fantastical.”

Panel discussions organised as part of the meeting between the two agencies included representatives from several industry companies, including Kraken, Crypto.com, Polymarket, Kalshi, and Robinhood.

Ripple Urges Swift Implementation of Regulation

According to Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty, lawmakers must urgently establish clear regulatory rules for cryptocurrencies. Otherwise, the country risks losing its leadership in financial innovation.

He noted that the SEC has, for the first time, included transparency regarding digital assets among its priorities. Alderoty called this a signal for implementing “predictable oversight,” possibly with stricter restrictions.

The lawyer referred to several survey results. According to the data, one in five American adults owns cryptocurrency, yet most citizens are uncertain about the safety and reliability of existing investment methods. One study showed that a significant portion of respondents favours stricter regulation rather than loosening norms.

Implementing clear rules will not lead to the “disappearance of cryptocurrencies,” but will only accelerate the industry’s development, Alderoty emphasised.

Earlier, experts suggested that one of the consequences of a potential U.S. government shutdown could be a slowdown in the development and adoption of cryptocurrency market regulations.