Future-Proofing U.S. Markets: SEC Leader Urges Flexible Rules for AI and Onchain Finance

SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins argues that the United States must balance fostering innovation with investor protection as AI and onchain finance transform markets, highlighting past regulatory flexibility (Reg ATS) and ongoing blockchain guidance, and calling for future-proof, notice-and-comment rulemaking to clarify how onchain trading, brokers/dealers, clearing agencies, and crypto vaults fit within existing statutes—with Congress urged to pass the CLARITY Act to lock in clear language and keep the U.S. market leadership.