Paul Atkins Could Become SEC Chair After March 27 Senate Hearing

Paul Atkins, the crypto-friendly nominee for chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is one step closer to taking the reins now.

President Donald Trump nominated Atkins for the role back in December 2024, but the road to confirmation has been anything but smooth. With a Senate hearing tentatively set for March 27, the confirmation process may finally be nearing a resolution.

Why The Confirmation Is In Delay?

It’s been several months since Trump nominated Atkins to lead the SEC, but complications surrounding his financial disclosures have delayed the process. In particular, his marriage to Sarah Humphreys Atkins, whose family is tied to a billion-dollar roofing company, has further complicated the situation.

Despite these issues, Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott has reportedly scheduled a March 27 hearing, signaling that the process is moving forward, albeit slowly. There’s still uncertainty about whether the necessary paperwork has been submitted, but the momentum is clearly building. As the reporter Eleanor Mueller put it, “It’s the most momentum we’ve seen so far."

What Happens After the Hearing?

Atkins' nomination is not a done deal yet. After the March 27 hearing, the Senate will need to vote on his confirmation. The delay isn't unusual in the context of past transitions. For example, Gary Gensler, the former SEC chair, didn’t start his term until April 17, 2021, while Jay Clayton took office in May 2017. So, while Atkins’ timeline might feel extended, it's not entirely out of the ordinary for an SEC chair to start their term a few months after a presidential inauguration.

Meanwhile, the SEC’s acting chair, Mark Uyeda, has been filling the void since Gensler’s departure in January. Under Uyeda’s leadership, the SEC has been making moves that could reshape the regulatory landscape for crypto firms. The agency recently formed a Crypto Task Force led by Commissioner Hester Peirce and has dropped several high-profile lawsuits against crypto platforms like Coinbase and Gemini. These developments could pave the way for a more crypto-friendly approach once Atkins steps into the role.

Will Atkins’ Approach Change Crypto Regulation?

One of the key points that sets Atkins apart from his predecessors is his more crypto-friendly stance. As a former SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008, Atkins has a wealth of regulatory experience. But it’s his approach to crypto regulation that has caught the most attention. While former SEC Chair Gary Gensler was known for his tough stance on crypto, Atkins is expected to take a more collaborative approach, focusing on working with industry leaders rather than relying solely on enforcement actions.

This could be a game-changer for the crypto sector, which has been navigating a complex and often hostile regulatory landscape in recent years. Investors, exchanges, and developers will be watching closely to see whether Atkins' nomination leads to more clarity and a balanced approach to crypto regulation.

As we wait for the hearing, one thing is clear: Atkins' leadership could determine the future of crypto regulations in the United States for years to come. With him in charge of the SEC, the crypto industry could be in for a new era of regulation—one that prioritizes collaboration and clarity over confrontation.