SEC Chair Paul Atkins backs DeFi, rejects forced intermediaries during latest roundtable speech

Description

Chair Paul Atkins rejected forced intermediaries, supported on-chain innovation, and called for formal rulemaking to protect self-custody and enable DeFi within existing securities law.

Authors

Gino Matos

Publish date

June 9, 2025

Publisher

CryptoSlate

Web URL

https://cryptoslate.com/sec-chair-paul-atkins-backs-defi-rejects-forced-intermediaries-during-latest-roundtable-speech

Referenced by

The new SEC chair contrasted that model with the prior administration’s approach, saying it sought to discourage participation through enforcement actions and public statements that characterized mining, validating, and staking services as securities activity.

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To speed experimentation, Atkins directed staff to design an “innovation exemption” that could grant conditional relief for firms launching on-chain products.

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Paul Atkins calls self-custody a foundational American value

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