According to Odaily, former President Donald Trump has chosen Paul Atkins to lead the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as revealed by three informed sources. Trump has reportedly reached out to Atkins and is currently awaiting his acceptance. A spokesperson for Atkins did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The current SEC Chair, Gary Gensler, is set to step down on January 20. Atkins will require Senate confirmation unless Trump opts for a recess appointment during the Senate's adjournment.
Paul Atkins is known for his tenure as an SEC commissioner during the George W. Bush administration, where he gained recognition for opposing hefty fines on companies violating securities laws. He has been a proponent of the cryptocurrency industry and continues to serve at Patomak Global Partners, a consulting firm he founded in 2009. Additionally, since 2017, Atkins has co-chaired the Token Alliance, an industry association advocating for digital assets and blockchain technology.