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Trump, Atkins, and a new SEC – How 2025 could be defining year for Bitcoin and crypto
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- Gary Gensler to step down as SEC Chair soon
- Paul Atkins’ appointment as SEC Chair and David Sacks as crypto czar could change things for good
The year 2024 has been a landmark year for the cryptocurrency industry, marked by groundbreaking developments such as the introduction of Spot Bitcoin [BTC] and Ethereum [ETH] ETFs, Bitcoin’s historic surge past $100k, and the election of Donald Trump as a crypto-supportive president.
That’s not all either, with the year also noting the highly anticipated fourth Bitcoin halving.
SEC overview – 2024 snapshot
However, this era of milestones has also been juxtaposed with heightened regulatory scrutiny. Especially as numerous crypto exchanges found themselves entangled in legal disputes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
While some legal battles, such as those involving Ripple Labs and Coinbase, began as early as 2020 or 2023, others emerged in full force in 2024.
Companies like Uniswap, Ethereum, ConsenSys, Robinhood, and Crypto.com were among those that reportedly received Wells Notices from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
These actions sparked widespread debate within the crypto community, with many calling for SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s resignation.
Role of Gensler in Biden’s political exit
Concerns mounted that Gensler’s aggressive crypto crackdown could potentially impact President Joe Biden’s administration, fueling fears of broader political and economic repercussions. However, despite facing significant criticism, Gensler remained steadfast in his position on cryptocurrency and stated,
“Crypto is a small piece of our overall markets. But, it’s an outsized piece of the scams and frauds and problems in the markets.”
The narrative, however, shifted during Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, as he pledged to dismiss Gensler immediately upon taking office.
“I didn’t know he was that unpopular. Let me say it again, on day 1, I’ll fire Gary Gensler.”
Trump’s pro-crypto initiatives quickly garnered widespread support within the cryptocurrency community, creating a ripple effect in the political landscape.
Despite President Biden’s decision to not stand for re-election in favour of VP Kamala Harris, the Democrats were unable to garner much of the crypto vote that eventually went to Trump and the Republicans on 05 November.
Simply put, the overwhelming support for Trump’s policies from the crypto community seemingly reshaped the voter’s narrative.
Gensler decides to step down
Facing intensifying criticism and a shifting political tide, Gary Gensler, the controversial Chair of the U.S. SEC, decided to step down soon after.
In a post shared on X, Gensler revealed his plans to resign from his role as SEC Chair, effective 20 January 2025.
Source: Gary Gensler/X
Trump nominates Paul Atkins as SEC Chair
In a surprising turn of events, Wall Street largely welcomed President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of seasoned Washington attorney Paul Atkins to lead the SEC. A former SEC commissioner during the George W. Bush administration, Atkins is known for his market-friendly and innovation-focused approach.
Trump’s announcement highlighted Atkins’ acknowledgment of digital assets as pivotal to “Making America Greater than Ever Before,” signaling a significant shift in regulatory direction.
Remarking on the same, Asymmetric CEO and CIO Joe McCann said,
“This guys knows how to get things done, knows how to protect citizens and consumers. So, this is a guy who bring common sense to the SEC which I think is extremely well received by the crypto industry but most importantly the entreprenuews and investors in the United States.”
Trump creates a new role – ‘Crypto Czar’
Additionally, in a strategic move to solidify his pro-crypto agenda, President Donald Trump has appointed David Sacks as the White House’s artificial intelligence and “crypto czar.” Sacks, a prominent entrepreneur and tech investor, is expected to spearhead policies in these rapidly evolving sectors.
This announcement, coupled with Trump’s choice of Paul Atkins as the incoming SEC Chair, has sparked optimism across the cryptocurrency industry.
With leadership changes on the horizon, many believe the Trump administration will foster a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment, potentially paving the way for developments like a Solana [SOL] ETF and other ETF approvals in the coming years.
Atkins’ potential SEC Chair role sparks debate
Remarking on the same, Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart noted,
“There is no other way of putting that Gensler’s SEC was very negative on crypto. They were not accommodative at all, they refused to rule making. So, this coming SEC even if they are less argumentative with the space, less negative on the space, I think that will be positive.”
However, while the crypto community has embraced the move enthusiastically, some critics believe that Atkins’ crypto-friendly philosophy and lighter regulatory stance may pose potential risks for investor protection.
Additionally, figures like Senator Elizabeth Warren have also expressed concerns about his industry connections and history of favoring light-touch enforcement.
What to expect in 2025?
Despite these reservations, Atkins has clarified that he does not intend to overhaul the SEC entirely.
Instead, his vision emphasizes a balanced approach—ensuring strong enforcement to protect public interests while fostering innovation by avoiding unnecessary rule-making beyond the SEC’s authority.
Additionally, Atkins aims to enhance transparency within the SEC and self-regulatory organizations, striving for a regulatory framework that promotes trust without stifling progress.
Therefore, as Donald Trump prepares to assume office on 20 January 2025, the crypto market is abuzz with activity, making headlines with surging prices and renewed optimism.
