The SEC chairman announced the establishment of the Presidential Digital Asset Group, marking a significant shift in U.S. encryption regulatory policy.

Paul Atkins, chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), announced at a Blockchain seminar in Wyoming the official establishment of the "Presidential Digital Asset Task Force," marking a fundamental shift in the U.S. encryption regulatory strategy. The new policy will abandon the old model of "regulation through enforcement," recognizing that the vast majority of tokens are not securities, and plans to provide tailored exemptions and safe harbor rules for encryption companies. This article deeply analyzes the far-reaching impact of this SEC encryption regulatory policy shift on industry development and its close connection to Trump's digital asset strategy.

SEC establishes a special group, opening a new chapter in regulation

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins stated that the commission will soon launch the "President's Digital Asset Task Force" as part of a new chapter in U.S. cryptocurrency regulations. Atkins announced the news during a Blockchain seminar in Wyoming and shared his "Project Crypto," promising to stop the practice of "regulation through enforcement."

Group Tasks and Directions: Seeking a Balance Between Protection and Innovation

Atkins explained that the group's primary task is to implement the recommendations of the President's digital asset market working group. He made it clear that the project is an important part of the White House's larger digital asset plan and praised President Trump for his support of this work. The SEC chairman further explained that the group will formulate rules and find an appropriate balance between protecting investors and allowing new ideas to develop. He stated that the SEC must create rules that are strong enough to prevent abuse while being flexible enough to adapt to technological developments. He added that the SEC will work with Congress, the White House, and other agencies to ensure that U.S. rules remain fair, consistent, and in line with international standards. This approach can unite different government departments on issues related to digital assets. Atkins's predecessor Gary Gensler often stated that under current SEC rules, most digital assets should be considered securities. Critics argue that this approach pushes innovation overseas, as it forces many projects to either register with the SEC or face enforcement actions. Atkins rejected this view, stating that "very few tokens are securities." He explained that the important factor is not the token itself, but rather how it is packaged, marketed, and sold to the public. This shift in direction indicates that the SEC will make it easier for encryption projects to launch in the United States without being treated as securities.

Following the White House roadmap, introducing exemption and safe harbor rules

The President's digital asset working group released a policy roadmap in July, calling for regulators to adopt rules that make it easier for encryption businesses to operate while maintaining investor protection. Paul Atkins stated that the SEC will adhere to this roadmap and work in alignment with the White House to reduce conflicting voices. According to Atkins, the SEC will offer tailored exemptions, safe harbors, and new disclosure rules for crypto companies, replacing the past one-size-fits-all regulation. Activities such as initial coin offerings (ICOs), airdrops, network rewards, and even the development of decentralized applications may be handled more flexibly, allowing entrepreneurs to innovate without worry. Atkins stated that this does not mean a hands-off approach, but rather a better structure that can simultaneously protect investors and encourage responsible growth. Venture capital firms and advocacy organizations such as Andreessen Horowitz and the DeFi Education Fund have begun pushing the SEC to establish exemption rules to protect developers from enforcement risks. These groups state that a safe harbor would give developers more confidence to innovate in the United States rather than abroad. Atkins responded that the SEC has an open attitude towards feedback from the industry, but clearly stated that changes can only be made at this time because lasting certainty depends on legislation. He further emphasized that enforcement should focus on fraud, scams, or abuse cases, allowing legitimate projects room to develop. If these commitments are fulfilled, the cooperation between the SEC and the government working group could be the most significant change in U.S. financial regulation in years.

Conclusion

The SEC's policy shift this time represents a complete paradigm shift in U.S. cryptocurrency regulation, moving from the confrontational enforcement of the Gensler era to the collaboration and framework building of the Atkins era. The core of this shift is the acknowledgment that most Tokens do not fall under the category of securities, and it aims to retain innovative companies and talent by providing legal clarity and a safe harbor for cryptocurrency regulation. This change is not only highly aligned with the digital asset strategy of the Trump administration but also lays the foundation for the U.S. to regain its leading position in the global development of cryptocurrency compliance competition. For industry participants, a more predictable and supportive regulatory environment is taking shape, which is undoubtedly the most significant positive policy signal in recent times.