Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman of MicroStrategy—one of the largest corporate holders of Bitcoin—has voiced his approval of Paul Atkins, the newly sworn-in chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
On April 23, Saylor took to X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Paul Atkins as SEC Chair is a positive development for Bitcoin.” Atkins officially stepped into the role on April 21, becoming the 34th person to lead the regulatory body.
The crypto industry appears optimistic about this leadership change. Blue Macellari, head of digital assets at T. Rowe Price, spoke positively about Atkins in a recent Bloomberg interview. She highlighted a notable shift in the SEC’s openness under the new leadership, citing participation in several industry roundtables. “This kind of engagement can lead to more informed and balanced regulation,” she said.
Vincent Liu, CIO of Kronos Research, echoed that sentiment. He believes Atkins’ approach will help clarify digital asset custody regulations—something crucial for institutional adoption. “Establishing clear guidelines for custody and resolving the security-versus-commodity debate will provide much-needed clarity,” Liu noted.
Who is Paul Atkins—and What Might He Bring to the Table?
Appointed by former President Trump in late 2024, Atkins has received a warm welcome from various corners of the crypto space. Katherine Dowling, general counsel at Bitwise, called him a “smart pick,” while Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said Atkins will help restore “common sense” at the SEC.
However, not all feedback has been favorable. Senator Elizabeth Warren raised concerns during Atkins’ confirmation hearing, criticizing his previous decisions while serving as an SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008—particularly in the run-up to the 2008 financial crisis.
Warren also questioned Atkins’ connection to Patomak Global Partners, a firm he founded that once advised the now-defunct crypto exchange FTX. “You’ve earned millions consulting clients on how to sway regulators,” she said, “and now you’ll be in a prime position to return the favor.”
Transparency and potential conflicts of interest are central to ongoing discussions. Liu emphasized the importance of safeguards like full disclosure of prior industry affiliations and robust ethics policies to protect public trust.
Further complicating matters, public filings reveal Atkins holds a personal and family financial portfolio exceeding $327 million. Around the same time, David Sacks—Trump’s AI and crypto policy lead—also disclosed that his venture capital firm liquidated over $200 million in crypto-related assets before assuming office.
As the dust settles, Atkins’ leadership could mark a turning point for how digital assets are regulated in the U.S.—with both high hopes and cautious scrutiny following close behind.
For more news, find me on Twitter Giannis Andreou and subscribe to My channels Youtube and Rumble
What is your opinion on this particular topic? Leave us your comment below! We are always interested in your opinion!
