Paul Atkins Confirmed as New SEC Chairman

On April 9, 2025, Paul Atkins, President Donald Trump's nominee to be the 34th chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), was confirmed by a vote of 52-44.

In his testimony before the Senate Banking Committee on March 27, 2025, Atkins provided his perspective regarding the need to ease regulatory burdens on capital formation; and establish a clear regulatory framework for digital assets and financial technology.

Atkins criticized "[u]nclear, overly politicized, complicated, and burdensome regulations" under the prior administration as "stifling capital formation" and leaving investors "flooded" with counterproductive disclosure information.

Atkins provided his perspective regarding the need to ease regulatory burdens on capital formation.

Concerning his view on environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure requirements, Atkins testified that he wants to "get politics out of the financial markets." The SEC omitted ESG from its Division of Examination's Priorities for 2024 and has voted to end its defense of rules mandating climate-related disclosure.

His opening statement is HERE