New SEC Chairman Paul Atkins: Will His Crypto-Friendly Stance Cool the Market Rally?
The nomination of Paul Atkins as the new SEC chair has sparked talk of how his crypto-friendly stance could impact the digital-coin market. President-elect Trump praised Atkins for his recognition of the importance of digital assets in boosting America’s economy. This endorsement led to a significant rise in Bitcoin prices, with a 130% surge in the past year, largely due to promises of deregulation from the Trump administration.
Atkins, a member of the Digital Chamber of Commerce, a crypto advocacy group, has been viewed by investors as a positive force propelling the recent rise in various cryptocurrencies. For instance, XRP, the native coin of Ripple, saw an incredible 400% surge in the past year, especially following Trump’s victory in November.
Trump’s promise to overhaul the SEC’s approach to cryptocurrencies, particularly by replacing current chair Gary Gensler, is seen as a significant shift in regulatory policies. This change could potentially impact ongoing cases, such as the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple for failure to disclose financial information while promoting its XRP token.
Despite Atkins’ consumer protection and disclosure mandate, some experts believe he may not entirely overlook the SEC’s case against Ripple. This uncertainty could introduce volatility into the crypto market, potentially affecting both XRP and Bitcoin prices in the future. It remains to be seen how Atkins’ leadership will shape the regulatory landscape for digital currencies in the coming months.