#CryptoRoundTableRemarks SEC Chair Paul Atkins Backs DeFi Principles in U.S. Roundtable

In a major policy shift, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins acknowledges DeFi’s alignment with economic freedom and innovation. Here's what happened and what it could mean for the industry.

📰 Overview

On June 10, 2025, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins spoke at the “DeFi and the American Spirit” roundtable in Washington, D.C., emphasizing the alignment between decentralized finance (DeFi) and key American values such as:

Innovation

Economic freedom

Private property rights

His remarks highlighted a shift in tone toward constructive dialogue around blockchain development, rather than rigid enforcement against decentralized technologies.

> “Blockchain’s decentralized nature reflects principles that support open markets and individual autonomy,” said Chairman Atkins.

🔍 Key Takeaways

✅ 1. Developers and Open-Source Code

Chairman Atkins clarified that software developers building decentralized tools should not automatically be considered financial intermediaries under existing laws, especially if they do not custody user assets or control systems.

This follows recent court rulings that draw a distinction between tool creators and regulated financial entities.

Why it matters:

This perspective encourages innovation while maintaining clear lines for accountability.

✅ 2. Self-Custody and User Autonomy

The chairman reaffirmed that self-custody and peer-to-peer blockchain systems are consistent with long-standing principles of individual property rights.

> “Digital ownership should not be treated differently simply because it’s on-chain,” he stated.

This could influence how future rules approach non-custodial wallets, validators, and staking services that operate without intermediaries.

✅ 3. Proposal for an “Innovation Pathway”

Atkins mentioned the SEC is exploring a conditional exemption framework (also referred to as an “innovation pathway”), which could allow eligible blockchain projects to operate in a compliant environment