SEC Chair Paul Atkins Outlines Regulatory Reforms at Reagan Economic Forum

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul S. Atkins discussed regulatory reforms at the 2026 Reagan National Economic Forum. According to Odaily, Atkins emphasized the SEC's efforts to modernize digital asset regulation, develop on-chain capital markets, and position the U.S. as a global crypto hub. Atkins criticized the previous SEC's "regulatory hostility" towards the digital asset industry, which he claimed forced many crypto innovations overseas. Under U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, the SEC has initiated "Project Crypto" and partnered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to coordinate on-chain market infrastructure and crypto regulation. The SEC has recently clarified which digital assets are considered securities and is advancing an innovative exemption mechanism for tokenized listed securities. Additionally, the SEC is examining how on-chain trading systems can fit within the existing regulatory framework. Atkins also highlighted the SEC's plans to reduce "excessive disclosure" and regulatory burdens, aiming to "Make IPOs Great Again" by lowering compliance costs for listed companies and increasing IPO flexibility. He proposed repealing climate disclosure rules introduced by the previous administration. Atkins stated that the future of U.S. capital markets should be based on "free market and innovation-driven" principles, with regulatory bodies providing clear rules and legal certainty rather than stifling technological advancement.