SEC Chair Paul Atkins Pledges End to Surprise Crypto Crackdowns.

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins has outlined a new enforcement philosophy, promising to replace surprise crypto crackdowns with clearer guidance for businesses.

His comments, published in a Financial Times interview on Monday, mark a sharp departure from the agency’s previous approach, which critics often described as overly aggressive.

Atkins stressed that firms should not fear regulators “bashing down their door” over technical violations. Instead, the SEC under his leadership intends to provide warnings, explanations, and opportunities for compliance before considering enforcement.

For years, Wall Street executives and compliance officers argued that the SEC had become unpredictable. Several enforcement cases were seen as lacking clear precedent, leaving companies uncertain about the rules. Atkins acknowledged these concerns, noting that the commission too often took action first and clarified later.

He emphasized that the new direction seeks to rebuild trust in the SEC’s processes.

“Markets need both fairness and certainty,” Atkins explained. “We must enforce the law, but we must also ensure due process and respect for the rule of law.”

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