Remarks by Chair Atkins Before SEC Speaks Conference

On May 19, 2025, SEC Chair Paul S. Atkins spoke at the SEC Speaks conference in Washington, D.C. Chair Atkins discussed "how the Securities and Exchange Commission should not fear innovation. Rather, it should embrace and champion it."

He said, "Markets, by their nature, evolve. They are dynamic because they are made up of human beings. When human beings encounter problems, they innovate to solve them because there is a demand - and there are rewards - for solutions. In a free society, human nature rises to the occasion with inventiveness and competitive spirit, plus Adam Smith’s invisible hand to provide incentives beyond mere altruism. All of that is a good thing."

Mr. Atkins noted that, in the past, "the SEC has both enabled innovation and, unfortunately at times, stifled it. Fortunately, innovation - in other words, progress - eventually won the day."

He noted that "The crypto markets have been languishing in SEC limbo for years."

Atkins claimed that "It is a new day at the SEC. While I have directed Commission staff across our policy Divisions to begin drafting rule proposals related to crypto, the staff continue to "clear the brush” through staff-level statements.""

SEC Chair Paul S. Atkins discussed "how the Securities and Exchange Commission should not fear innovation. Rather, it should embrace and champion it."

Atkins would like the Commission to allow SEC registrants to custody and trade both securities and non-securities under one roof. He asserted that "Enabling this reality could reduce costs for investors while allowing non-security trading to enter a regulated environment at the federal level expeditiously."

His prepared remarks are HERE