Cryptocurrency supporter Paul Atkins becomes a hot candidate for SEC chairman

According to informed sources, the transition team of US President-elect Trump has held talks with veteran financial regulator and conservative finance insider Paul Atkins as a candidate for chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Informed sources said that Atkins is the top contender to replace outgoing Gensler. They said that Trump is expected to make a choice in the next few days, but no decision has been made yet. Atkins served as an SEC commissioner during George W. Bush's administration, after which he founded Patomak Global Partners, a company providing consulting services for major financial clients. He is a staunch supporter of digital assets and fintech companies. He also testified in Congress on how to restructure the agency's operations and reduce some regulatory provisions that some insiders consider redundant or overly burdensome.