YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) —
Paul Atkins is now officially the SEC chair after the U.S. Senate confirmed his appointment on April 9 with a 52-44 vote. The vote followed party lines and completed Donald Trump’s push to call Paul Atkins head of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The SEC confirmation ended delays caused by Atkins’ financial disclosures. He is set to replace Mark Uyeda, who served as acting chair since January 20 after Gary Gensler stepped down. Gensler’s term included legal actions against several crypto firms.
The confirmation puts Paul Atkins in charge of the agency during a shift in the SEC’s crypto direction under the Trump administration.
Paul Atkins’ SEC Background and Role in Crypto Policy
Paul Atkins served as a U.S. SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008, including during the global financial crisis. Before that, he worked under SEC Chairs Richard Breeden and Arthur Levitt as chief of staff and counselor. He contributed to policies improving corporate governance, shareholder communication, and capital market access for smaller firms.
In 2009, Atkins launched Patomak Global Partners, a financial consulting firm that advises on regulatory compliance and risk management. The firm has worked with financial institutions, public companies, and law firms.
From 2017 until late 2024, Atkins was co-chair of Token Alliance, a crypto advocacy group under the Chamber of Digital Commerce. He supported best practices in digital asset regulation and advised blockchain-based projects like Securitize. His industry ties include active involvement in discussions around regulatory clarity for crypto assets.
During his March 2025 Senate confirmation hearing, Atkins said one of his key goals is establishing a “rational, coherent, and principled approach” for regulating digital assets. He emphasized the need for clarity while maintaining investor protection.
The SEC commissioners released a statement on April 9 welcoming his return:
“A veteran of our Commission, we look forward to him joining with us, along with our dedicated staff, to fulfill our mission on behalf of the investing public.”
Crypto Regulation SEC Focus Under Trump and Atkins
The Trump crypto policy formed a Crypto Task Force within the SEC. This group worked with industry players to assess regulatory needs. During this period, the agency ended several investigations started under Gary Gensler.
Paul Atkins is expected to continue that direction. Tim Scott, Chair of the Senate Banking Committee, said Atkins would support digital asset clarity and help maintain U.S. competitiveness in global finance.
The SEC confirmation process was delayed due to financial documents Atkins had to file. He is married to Sarah Humphreys Atkins, whose family owns TAMKO Building Products LLC, which reported $1.2 billion in revenue in 2023, according to Forbes.
Disclosures revealed that Paul Atkins invests up to $6 million in crypto-related firms. These include Anchorage Digital, a crypto custody platform, and Securitize, a blockchain tokenization service. Fortune reported these holdings in March.
The couple’s net worth is estimated at $327 million. Atkins filed all required forms before the final SEC chair vote. After Senate approval, he officially replaces Mark Uyeda as chair of the SEC.
Paul Atkins’s SEC role is likely to affect ongoing regulatory conversations. His past involvement in crypto advocacy and investment in digital asset firms places him at the center of the SEC’s crypto direction. The new chair steps in when the SEC confirmation process is under greater public and political scrutiny. The focus now shifts to how Paul Atkins’ crypto views will influence enforcement and policy decisions.