TL;DR
- Paul Atkins believes the United States has fallen behind jurisdictions that offer clearer and more adaptable rules for digital assets.
- In his view, the country pushed innovators to relocate to regions where experimentation with blockchain and tokenized finance is encouraged instead of restricted.
- He argues that restoring a competitive environment capable of attracting developers and capital should be an immediate mission for regulators.
Paul Atkins, chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, says the United States is roughly ten years behind global leaders in digital assets. His concern is not rooted in technological resistance, but in a regulatory stance that discouraged companies, investors and builders who opted for friendlier markets in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Speaking at DC Fintech Week, he highlighted the need to attract back those who left to develop products abroad. His approach aims to build a framework that inspires trust without blocking new financial tools. In his remarks, he suggested the regulator can deploy mechanisms that let startups move forward without being forced into rules designed for legacy institutions.
Innovation And Global Competition
Atkins indicated that the SEC could apply targeted exemptions for technologies still in testing phases. He clarified that the goal is not to remove oversight, but to modernize how the law is interpreted so the United States can regain its role as a primary destination. He added that the agency is working full-time to update its procedures and reduce entry obstacles.
The nation’s lag is visible in the number of firms shifting operations to hubs such as Dubai, Hong Kong or Singapore, where digital asset licenses have clearer pathways. Atkins maintains that enabling experimentation with fewer roadblocks will determine whether the United States can compete again with markets already legislating through a digital lens.
Superapps And Regulatory Coordination
Another focus of his comments was the future of superapps, platforms that merge payments, investing, remittances and other services into one interface. Atkins believes that with the right legal structure, such solutions could emerge in the West much as they did in Asia. He noted that several American firms considered similar models but hesitated due to regulatory uncertainty and fragmented oversight.
He also floated the possibility of rethinking coordination among federal agencies as a more unified system, which would streamline approvals for companies offering multiple financial services in one place. Although he did not present a detailed roadmap, he stressed that the intention is to support domestic development rather than watching it shift overseas.
