SEC Chair Paul Atkins Vows Crypto Clarity With or Without CLARITY Act

SEC Chair Paul Atkins speaks about U.S. crypto regulation and regulatory certainty surrounding the CLARITY Act.

SEC Chair Paul Atkins said the agency and the Trump administration will move forward with efforts to provide regulatory certainty for the cryptocurrency industry regardless of whether Congress passes the CLARITY Act.

Atkins made the remarks at the Solana Policy Institute Summit on Sept. 14, according to Cointelegraph. He said that “with or without that legislation,” the administration would continue its efforts to deliver regulatory changes for U.S. investors and technology innovators.

Atkins Backs CLARITY Act While Pointing to Regulatory Action

Atkins said Congress should advance the CLARITY Act and send it to President Trump, describing legislation as an important component of establishing a durable framework for digital assets.

His comments came shortly before the Senate considered the legislation. The CLARITY Act subsequently failed to advance in a Sept. 15 procedural vote, receiving 49 votes in favor and 50 against, according to Reuters and other reports.

The outcome leaves the SEC’s regulatory work as an important part of the U.S. approach to digital assets while lawmakers continue to consider legislation governing the sector.

SEC Has Already Proposed Crypto Rules

The SEC has been pursuing its own regulatory initiatives under Atkins. On Aug. 18, the agency proposed “Regulation Crypto Assets,” a framework intended to establish tailored rules for certain investment contracts involving crypto assets.

The proposal includes exemptions for certain crypto-related securities offerings and a conditional safe harbor involving the definition of an investment contract. The SEC said the measures are designed to provide clearer pathways for crypto companies to raise capital while maintaining investor protections.

Atkins has previously argued that legislation remains necessary for long-term regulatory certainty, even as the SEC develops rules through its existing authority. In an Aug. 18 statement, he said Congress remains essential to establishing durable rules for the crypto market.

CLARITY Act Faces Legislative Setback

The CLARITY Act is intended to establish a broader federal framework for digital assets, including rules distinguishing different categories of crypto assets and defining regulatory responsibilities between the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

The Senate’s failure to advance the bill does not itself enact or repeal any existing SEC rules. Instead, it leaves the legislative process at an uncertain stage while federal regulators continue pursuing regulatory initiatives.

For Atkins, the immediate focus remains on regulatory action that can be undertaken by the SEC and administration even without new legislation. His Sept. 14 remarks specifically identified the agency’s recently proposed Regulation Crypto Assets as part of that effort.

writer: Ethan Collins
Crypto Journalist
Ethan Collins reports on developments across the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector. His work covers market movements, protocol updates, regulatory changes, and emerging trends in digital assets.
He focuses on presenting complex topics in a clear and accessible manner for a broad readership.