TLDR
- SEC Launches Project Crypto to Modernize 90-Year-Old Financial Rules
- Project Crypto Aims to Bring Blockchain Into U.S. Financial Regulation
- SEC Overhauls Rules to Securely Integrate Crypto Into U.S. Markets
- Atkins Leads SEC Push to Make U.S. a Global Blockchain Innovation Hub
- GENIUS Act Backs SEC Plan to Regulate Digital Assets and Token Launches
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially launched Project Crypto under Chairman Paul Atkins’s leadership. This new initiative aims to modernize financial regulations and integrate digital assets into the legal framework. The effort focuses on updating outdated rules, managing token launches and integrating blockchain into existing financial systems.
SEC Moves to Modernize 90-Year-Old Rules
The SEC confirmed that it is mobilizing all departments to implement guidance from the President’s Working Group on Digital Assets. The group’s recommendations offer a clear structure for integrating crypto within the national financial framework. The SEC aims to prevent innovation from shifting overseas by ensuring U.S. competitiveness in the blockchain sector.
📃 "PROJECT CRYPTO" Details Revealed by @SECPaulSAtkins on @MorningsMaria
-Focusing on making America the crypto capital of the world
-Clarity and Genius Act to guide policies and regulations
-Other 'bills' being considered at the moment
-Custody beyond a flash drive in a… https://t.co/AVykkQUXM1 pic.twitter.com/nwxYGpxouy— alibynx (@alibynx) August 15, 2025
Project Crypto intends to revise financial regulations written nearly a century ago to accommodate today’s digital realities. It prioritizes secure storage of digital assets and responsible transaction practices across broker-dealers and asset managers. This move signals a major shift in how the agency will govern digital currencies going forward.
Chairman Atkins emphasized that digital assets must meet the same standards as traditional securities, including legal custody and transaction transparency. The SEC plans to enforce standards that ensure cryptocurrencies are not handled informally or insecurely. This approach reflects a firm commitment to rule-based integration of crypto in the financial sector.
GENIUS Act Provides Legal Basis for Regulatory Framework
The SEC will structure its new digital asset rules around existing legislation, such as the GENIUS Act. This law provides the foundation for restructuring market regulations to accommodate digital innovation. By aligning with laws already passed by Congress, the SEC aims to avoid legal uncertainty.
Atkins linked these updates to wider financial reforms, including expanding asset classes in retirement portfolios like 401(k)s. A recent executive order allows these plans to include alternative assets, such as crypto and private equity. This change could boost participation in digital markets through more accessible financial products.
In addition, the SEC welcomed a court ruling that struck down the Durbin debit interchange rule, viewing it as a boost to new payment systems. This development could open the door for wider adoption of crypto in daily financial transactions, adding momentum to the SEC’s broader mission of supporting alternative payments.
Project Crypto Aims to Establish U.S. as Blockchain Leader
Project Crypto reflects a broader national strategy to reclaim leadership in financial technology and blockchain innovation. With fewer public companies and growing global competition, the SEC wants to position the U.S. as a hub for crypto development. This includes regulatory clarity and competitiveness in digital finance.
The SEC is working to ensure that digital assets are not sidelined but are brought into regulated, secure financial practices. It plans to create a balanced framework that promotes innovation while enforcing consistent oversight. This shift marks one of the most significant updates in the agency’s recent history.
Chairman Atkins reinforced that this project is not temporary, but a strategic effort to embed blockchain into the U.S. financial system. The SEC will continue updating laws and launching new policies to meet evolving demands. With Project Crypto, the agency signals a strong push to lead the global digital economy.
