SEC Chair Paul Atkins said, on Friday, August 15th, that the regulator is preparing to carry out President Donald Trump’s plan to turn the United States into the world’s centre for digital assets. 

He made the remarks in a Fox News interview with Maria Bartiromo, where he described the agency’s divisions being “mobilised” to push forward a national framework for crypto. 

The comments show how the SEC is aligning itself with the administration’s wider strategy to build a leadership role in blockchain and digital finance.

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Commitment to President Trump’s plan

Atkins pointed to the recent President’s Working Group report on digital assets as a blueprint for action. He said the SEC has clear instructions from the White House to build rules that can support innovation while protecting investors. 

According to Atkins, every division of the SEC is now contributing to the effort. The aim is to ensure the United States becomes the top market for digital currencies and related technologies.

Shift in regulatory approach

The remarks highlight a notable shift at the agency. For years, the SEC was often criticised for relying on lawsuits and enforcement actions to regulate the crypto sector. 

Atkins said that period is coming to an end. Instead, the commission is turning its attention to drafting rules and policies that provide clarity. The goal is to replace uncertainty with a framework that both investors and companies can rely on.

Ripple case and new direction

The agency’s change of stance was underlined earlier this month, on August 8th, when the SEC dropped its case against Ripple. Commissioner Hester Peirce welcomed the move, saying it allowed the commission to redirect resources from legal battles to building a sound policy foundation. 

Atkins agreed with her assessment, and he said it is time to leave disputes behind and begin shaping clear standards that can foster growth. 

He stressed that the new framework must balance innovation with safeguards to ensure that markets remain fair and transparent.

Alongside his comments on rulemaking, on August 2, UnoCrypto reported, Atkins repeated his call for crypto firms to return to the United States. At an appearance at the America First Policy Institute in Washington, he urged companies that had moved abroad to reshore operations.

He argued that a predictable and supportive regulatory climate would give these businesses reasons to come back and invest in U.S. jobs and infrastructure.

Atkins seems to align with President Trump’s plans to position the U.S. as the preeminent country in the field of digital assets. The administration is apparently looking to position the country as the crypto hub of the world, which is now being reflected in the new stance adopted by the SEC.

Reactions inside the agency

Atkins’ public stance has also reshaped the tone within the SEC, and his message has been consistent in both media appearances and internal talks. Officials say the focus now is on cooperation, not confrontation. 

The idea is to create rules in consultation with industry rather than in opposition to it. This cooperative spirit has drawn positive responses from some lawmakers and entrepreneurs, who believe stability and clarity will attract capital back into the country.

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