Atkins says SEC has 'enough authority' to drive crypto rules forward in 2026

SEC boss Paul Atkins just flexed the agency's regulatory muscles from the NYSE floor — saying they're ready to push crypto rules forward WITHOUT waiting for Congress. Translation: 2026 is about to get spicy.

In a CNBC interview dropped Tuesday, Atkins confirmed the SEC is giving "technical assistance" to lawmakers working on that massive digital asset market structure bill. But here's the kicker: "We have enough authority to drive forward."

That's right — an "innovation exemption" for crypto projects could drop within weeks. This comes despite the longest US government shutdown ever, which Atkins admitted impacted operations but didn't stop progress on "rules that are focused on helping [the crypto] sector."

Atkins (confirmed as SEC chair in April after Trump nominated him) has been walking the talk — slashing enforcement actions against crypto firms and even issuing no-action letters for DePIN projects. This aligns perfectly with Trump's pro-crypto executive orders from the White House.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are still grinding on that market structure bill that'll define who regulates what between the SEC and CFTC. Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott says they're aiming for a December markup — but Atkins' comments suggest the SEC isn't waiting around.

The SEC chair rang the NYSE opening bell Tuesday, framing his plans "on the cusp of America’s 250th anniversary." Translation: 2026 is when crypto regulation gets real, with or without Congress.