SEC Chair Paul Atkins: The U.S. Needs an “Innovation Exemption” and a Revival of IPOs

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), under Chairman Paul Atkins, is preparing major changes that could reshape both the crypto market and the broader financial system. In an interview with Fox Business, Atkins revealed that by the end of 2025 the agency aims to introduce an “innovation exemption”, allowing crypto firms to launch new products without being immediately burdened by heavy bureaucracy.

SEC and CFTC: Ending Market Uncertainty Atkins emphasized that the SEC is working closely with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to clearly define their responsibilities and provide the market with a stable framework. Unclear jurisdiction has previously stalled innovation, such as stock futures contracts. “This is not an ad hoc approach, but a stable platform on which firms can build,” Atkins explained. The innovation exemption would make it easier to launch new crypto products, removing barriers that have slowed U.S. growth compared to Europe and the UK.

Gensler vs. Atkins: From Restrictions to Openness Former SEC Chair Gary Gensler treated many cryptocurrencies as unregistered securities, taking a restrictive approach. Critics argue this slowed the U.S. market — while Europe introduced tokenized securities as early as 2019 and the UK offered broader access to ETFs and derivatives. Atkins, in contrast, positions himself as a supporter of flexibility and innovation. He believes the U.S. should stop playing catch-up with Europe and re-establish itself as the global leader in digital finance.

Making IPOs “Great Again” Atkins also stressed that his agenda goes beyond crypto. On “Mornings with Maria,” he said he wants to revive the U.S. IPO market. Over the last 30 years, the number of publicly traded companies in the U.S. has dropped by 50%. Excessive regulation, high compliance costs, and complex reporting requirements have discouraged firms from going public. “I want IPOs to become an attractive growth path again,” Atkins said. He added that ordinary investors need more ways to diversify their portfolios. Currently, access to private funds is limited, which increases systemic risk.

A Signal to the Market Atkins’ remarks send a clear message: the U.S. wants to set rules that unlock innovation, reduce bureaucratic burdens, and strengthen competitiveness. This could prove pivotal not only for crypto but for American financial markets as a whole.

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