SEC Chair Atkins debuts ‘Project Crypto’ to update rules and regulations, with a focus on onchain

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission launched "Project Crypto," which its chair says will be an initiative to "modernize the securities rules and regulations to enable America’s financial markets to move on-chain."

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins announced the launch on Thursday during a speech, and said the project was building off a report released on Wednesday by the President's Working Group.

"That is why I am launching Project Crypto and directing the SEC’s policy divisions to work with the Crypto Task Force, led by Commissioner Peirce, to swiftly develop proposals to implement the PWG’s recommendations," Atkins said. "Project Crypto will help ensure that the United States remains the best place in the world to start a business, develop cutting-edge technologies, and participate in capital markets."

On Wednesday, a report was released detailing how federal agencies plan to approach crypto. The working group is made up of agency heads, including Atkins, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, among others.

"To achieve President Trump’s vision of making America the crypto capital of the world, the SEC must holistically consider the potential benefits and risks of moving our markets from an offchain environment to an on-chain one," Atkins said.

This is a developing story.

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