In a 52-44 vote largely divided along party lines, the US Senate has confirmed Paul Atkins as the new Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), ushering in a new era of leadership at the regulatory agency amid ongoing debates over the future of crypto regulation.

Atkins, a former SEC commissioner and longtime financial consultant, was nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the Commission. His confirmation on April 9 follows months of speculation about the SEC’s direction under a second Trump term, particularly concerning digital assets and emerging technologies.

A statement issued jointly by Acting SEC Chair Mark T. Uyeda and Commissioners Hester M. Peirce and Caroline A. Crenshaw welcomed Atkins back to the agency. “We look forward to him joining with us, along with our dedicated staff, to fulfill our mission on behalf of the investing public,” the commissioners said.

Atkins previously served as an SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008, including during the global financial crisis. He later founded Patomak Global Partners, a consulting firm focused on regulatory strategy and risk management. More recently, he was co-chair of the Token Alliance, a crypto advocacy organization, where he worked until late 2024.

His swearing-in will mark the official handover of leadership from Uyeda, who has served as acting chair since January 20 following the resignation of former Chair Gary Gensler. Gensler’s tenure was characterized by aggressive enforcement actions targeting crypto firms, drawing criticism from within the industry and from some lawmakers who argued for clearer regulatory guidelines.

Atkins is expected to adopt a markedly different approach. During his Senate confirmation hearing in March, he emphasized the need for “a rational, coherent, and principled” regulatory framework for digital assets. His comments align with the broader crypto-friendly stance adopted by the Trump administration during its current term.

Atkins’ term will run through June 2026, giving him a critical window to influence the future of securities regulation and the treatment of digital assets in the United States.