Wall Street Consultant Paul Atkins confirmed By Senate To Lead The SEC.

The US Senate has confirmed Donald Trump’s nominee, Paul Atkins, as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission in a 52-44 vote mainly along party lines.

Atkins’s confirmation on April 9 comes after Trump named the pro-crypto former Wall Street consultant to lead the agency late last year. During the global financial crisis, Atkins also served as an SEC commissioner between 2002 and 2008.

”A veteran of our Commission, we look forward to him joining us, along with our dedicated staff, to fulfill our mission on behalf of the investing public,” the agency’s commissioners wrote in an April 9 statement.

Atkins founded the financial consulting firm Patomak Global Partners in 2009, specializing in regulatory compliance and risk management, and served as co-chair of crypto advocacy group Token Alliance between 2017 and late 2024.

Following his swearing-in, he will succeed Mark Uyeda, who has served as the SEC’s acting chair since January 20, after former chair Gary Gensler stepped down. During Gensler’s tenure, the SEC launched multiple lawsuits and investigations against crypto firms for alleged breaches of securities laws.

Paul Atkins To Elevate Regulatory Rules.

During his March 27 confirmation hearing, Atkins pledged to establish a clear and principled regulatory framework for digital assets to foster innovation and protect investors. He also wanted to keep politics out of regulatory decisions and advance clear rules encouraging investment in the U.S. economy.

It’s time to return common sense to the SEC,” he told the Senate panel, promising to work with Congress on a “rational” crypto framework. He criticized “unclear, overly politicized” rules that he said impede capital formation.

Additionally, Controversial rules like Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 have also been canceled. Clearer guidelines for token classification, custody requirements, and market structure are likely on the horizon—developments the crypto industry has long lobbied for. Atkins is likely to accelerate this transition.

Atkins’ Confirmation Delayed By Disclosures.

Several financial disclosures reportedly delayed Atkins’s confirmation; he needed to file them after marrying into a billionaire family.

He married Sarah Humphreys Atkins in 1990. Her family is tied to TAMKO Building Products LLC, a residential roofing shingle manufacturer. Forbes reported in December that the company turned over $1.2 billion in revenue in 2023.