The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has introduced “Project Crypto,” a regulatory modernization initiative aimed at transitioning financial markets toward blockchain-based systems. SEC Chair Paul Atkins announced the move during the “American Leadership in the Digital Finance Revolution” conference, highlighting that the Commission would revise outdated regulations to accommodate crypto-based trading and tokenized assets. “To achieve President Trump’s vision of making America the crypto capital of the world, the SEC must holistically consider the potential benefits and risks of moving our markets from an off-chain environment to an on-chain one,” Atkins said. He emphasized that federal securities laws should not require intermediaries where decentralized systems can operate independently.
The announcement reflects the growing interest in asset tokenization, which involves issuing digital representations of securities or real-world assets on a blockchain. Companies like Robinhood, Gemini, and Kraken have already launched tokenized equity offerings internationally, while Coinbase is seeking U.S. approval. Atkins expressed support for “super apps,” such as Coinbase’s new platform, and called for an “efficient licensing structure” rather than overlapping regulations. He added, “We will encourage our nation’s builders rather than constrain them with red tape and one-size-fits-all rules.” The SEC’s Crypto Task Force, led by Commissioner Hester Peirce, will implement recommendations from the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets.
