SEC's Independent Regulatory Path
Paul Atkins, chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has indicated that the agency possesses the capacity to continue developing digital asset regulation independently, even in the absence of new legislation from Congress. This statement signals his expectations for the cryptocurrency industry's regulatory landscape in 2026.
In a CNBC interview released on Tuesday, Atkins stated that the SEC was providing “technical assistance” as Congress deliberated on digital asset regulation, likely referencing the market structure bill progressing through the US Senate. He noted that despite the SEC's operations being affected by a prolonged US government shutdown, he remained committed to making progress on “rules that are focused on helping [the crypto] sector.”
“We have enough authority to drive forward,” Atkins asserted. “I’m looking forward to having an innovation exemption that we’ve been talking about now. We’ll be able to get that out in a month or so.”
Atkins, who was confirmed as SEC chair by the US Senate in April following his nomination by US President Donald Trump, has previously taken steps to reduce enforcement actions against crypto companies. These actions include issuing no-action letters for decentralized physical infrastructure networks.
His approach aligns with several policy directives from the White House under President Trump, who has issued multiple executive orders pertaining to cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Congressional Efforts on Market Structure Bill
US regulators are actively awaiting progress on a market structure bill that is intended to define the regulatory authority of various agencies, including the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), over cryptocurrencies.
Lawmakers on the US Senate Agriculture Committee and the Senate Banking Committee are reportedly taking steps to advance this digital asset market structure bill.
Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott indicated that the committee planned to have the bill ready for markup in December.