According to Deep Tide TechFlow, on December 3, Unchained Crypto reported that three sources familiar with the discussions revealed that President-elect Donald Trump has selected Paul Atkins, a supporter of cryptocurrency, to serve as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It is reported that Atkins is the first libertarian to serve as an SEC commissioner during the Bush administration and has long supported the crypto industry. One source noted that Trump has reached out to Atkins but is waiting for his acceptance.
Trump transition team spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told Unchained: "President-elect Trump has made an astute decision at lightning speed regarding who will serve in his second-term administration. Remaining decisions will continue to be announced by him as they are made."
Atkins served as an SEC commissioner during President George W. Bush's administration, and since leaving the commission, he has publicly supported the cryptocurrency industry and has been co-chair of the Token Alliance under the Digital Chamber of Commerce since 2017. As the founder and CEO of consulting firm Potomak Global Partners, Atkins has been advising digital finance companies on regulatory compliance since 2009.