At the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium on August 19, 2025, SEC Chair Paul Atkins stated that only a small fraction of crypto tokens qualify as securities. This announcement may signal significant regulatory changes within the US crypto industry.
SEC Chair's Announcement on Tokens
Paul Atkins asserted that "very few" crypto tokens are classified as securities. This indicates a significant **policy shift** towards **regulatory clarity** and the modernization of digital asset rules. The Project Crypto initiative, which aims to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, also emphasizes this shift.
Increased Institutional Investment in Crypto Assets
Regulatory clarification is expected to foster new **institutional involvement** in tokenized assets, with a focus on the SEC's stance on liquid staking activities. This may lead to lower **compliance barriers** and increased **Total Value Locked (TVL)** across US DeFi protocols.
Shift in SEC Strategy Towards Economic Function
Under previous SEC chairmanship, nearly all tokens were typically labeled as securities, leading to enforcement actions. The current emphasis is on **economic function** rather than structural assumptions, aiming to prevent the migration of projects and liquidity offshore. Kanalcoin experts suggest that this development may enhance US competitiveness in the crypto market.
The implications of the SEC chair's statements may lead to important changes in the regulation of the crypto industry in the US, creating opportunities for growth and innovation.
