Trump confirms nomination of Paul Atkins as the new SEC chair

President-elect Donald Trump confirmed Paul Atkins’ nomination as the next US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman in a Dec. 4 Trust Social post. 

Trump stated that Atiks “recognizes that digital assets and other innovations are crucial to making America greater than ever before.”

He added:

“Paul is a proven leader for common sense regulations. He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World.”

Atkins, a former SEC Commissioner from 2002 to 2008, is known for his advocacy of free-market principles and investor protection and his focus on clarifying complex financial markets.

During his previous tenure at the SEC, Atkins championed policies to enhance market transparency and improve financial disclosures. 

In addition to being the CEO and Founder of Patomak Global Partners, a risk management consultancy, Atkins is also the co-chairman of the Digital Chamber’s Token Alliance, a role he has held since 2017. 

This connection to the crypto sector has led many to believe he could be the right candidate to address ongoing regulatory uncertainties surrounding digital assets in the US.

Background on the nomination

Atkins’ nomination comes after weeks of speculation and discussions regarding the best candidate to lead the SEC. 

Before Trump’s team interviewed Atkins on Nov. 27, a wide array of names were rumored to be under consideration, including SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda, former Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chair Heath Tarbert, and Robert Stebbins, a Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP partner.

The rumors included former Binance.US executive Brian Brooks, Robinhood’s chief legal officer Dan Gallagher, and SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce.

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