Cryptocurrency supporter Atkins becomes a top candidate for SEC chairman

According to informed sources, President-elect Trump's transition team has interviewed seasoned financial regulators, the behind-the-scenes figure in conservative finance Paul Atkins as a candidate for chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Sources say Atkins is the front-runner to succeed the soon-to-be-outgoing Gensler. They said Trump is expected to make a choice in the coming days, and no decision has been made yet. Atkins served as an SEC commissioner during the George W. Bush administration, after which he founded Patomak Global Partners, a consulting firm serving major financial industry clients. He is a strong supporter of digital assets and financial technology companies. He has also testified before Congress on how to restructure the agency's operations and reduce some regulations that industry insiders believe are redundant or overly burdensome.