At a fintech gathering in Washington, SEC Chair Paul Atkins delivered one of the agency’s most candid statements yet - the United States has fallen dangerously behind in the global crypto race.
Speaking to industry leaders, Atkins said the regulator’s top priority now is to rebuild the nation’s credibility in digital assets after years of hesitation and mixed signals.
“The U.S. is probably ten years late to this party,” he said, acknowledging that innovation had largely shifted overseas. Atkins added that his goal is to turn the SEC into a platform for innovation, not obstruction, signaling a major policy shift from enforcement-heavy tactics to growth-oriented oversight.
A New Regulatory Blueprint
According to Atkins, the SEC is now working on what he called a modernized framework for crypto and fintech integration. Rather than focusing solely on compliance, the agency wants to design exemptions that would allow startups and established firms to experiment under controlled conditions – a move aimed at reigniting entrepreneurship on American soil.
He described these measures as a way to “welcome innovators home,” after years of capital flight to friendlier jurisdictions like Singapore and Dubai. The initiative is reportedly being structured around flexible exemptions, letting projects test new models without triggering full securities classifications from day one.
Reimagining Finance With Superapps
Atkins also voiced enthusiasm for “superapps” – all-in-one financial ecosystems that merge payments, investing, and banking services. Popularized in Asia, these platforms could soon become a focus for the U.S. fintech sector if regulatory barriers ease.
He even suggested that regulators themselves should take inspiration from app ecosystems by creating digital coordination systems between agencies, allowing faster and more transparent oversight across multiple financial domains.
From Enforcement to Empowerment
Atkins’ remarks underscore the pro-innovation turn of the Trump administration’s financial policy, which has redefined how federal agencies approach digital assets. Following the resignation of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler earlier this year, the agency’s tone has become markedly more collaborative toward crypto.
By acknowledging the past decade’s missteps, Atkins has effectively opened the door to a new era where the SEC seeks to lead rather than chase the global crypto wave. For the first time in years, the regulator seems determined to make the U.S. a true home for blockchain development instead of a battlefield for lawsuits.
