SEC Chair announces crypto regulatory reset

SEC Chair Paul Atkins stated on March 1, 2026 that the United States had wasted several years failing to establish clear rules for the crypto industry. According to him, the previous administration chose punishment over dialogue, and the regulator is now seeking to make up for lost time.

Criticism of previous policy

During his remarks, Atkins openly criticized the approach of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who filed dozens of lawsuits against crypto companies between 2022 and 2024. Instead of publishing clear guidance for businesses, the regulator classified most tokens as securities and demanded registration, forcing startups to relocate their headquarters outside the US.

Atkins emphasized that while the US hesitated, other jurisdictions — notably the EU with its MiCA framework and Singapore — actively attracted crypto entrepreneurs with more predictable rules.

WisdomTree: first tokenized fund in the US

Simultaneously, the SEC granted exemptive relief to WisdomTree for its WisdomTree Treasury Money Market Digital Fund. This is the first tokenized money market fund in the United States, enabling 24/7 trading with instant settlement.

Project Crypto and new initiatives

Under the Trump administration, the SEC has formed a dedicated crypto task force and launched Project Crypto, aimed at overhauling existing rules. The regulator has already withdrawn several lawsuits against major market players that were filed during the Gensler era.

Atkins also noted that blockchain systems can significantly accelerate clearing and settlement in the financial sector. Among the next steps, he mentioned potential approval of tokenized bank deposits, which would pave the way for integrating distributed ledger technology into traditional banking infrastructure.

Market reaction

Against the backdrop of Atkins' statements, Bitcoin traded near $67,000, holding levels after a weekly pullback to $65,000. Market participants viewed the SEC chair's rhetoric as a positive signal, although macroeconomic headwinds — particularly Trump's announced 15% global tariffs — continue to weigh on risk asset growth.

What's next for crypto regulation

The market is awaiting concrete regulatory actions in the coming months. A key moment will be the Fed's interest rate decision on March 18, which could impact both cryptocurrencies and the pace of tokenized financial product adoption. If the SEC follows through on Atkins' promises, 2026 could become a turning point for institutional adoption of digital assets in the United States.