Paul Atkins, president of the SEC, responds to Congress for the Token Trump and Nexos with Justin Sun
The Sec, Under the management of Atkins, he faces questions about his relationship with the crypto world after the apparent suspension of the case against Sun, as well as the links of the US president with crypto projects.
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- Justin Sun’s company bought USD $ 30 million in tokens linked to President Trump
- The Sec apparently stopped fraud against Sun
- Atkins promises clear rules for crypto, but avoids compromising comments about memecoins
The new president of the United States Stock Exchange and Securities Commission (SEC)Paul Atkins, was questioned on Tuesday in the Congress On the links between a memecoin inspired by the American president, Donald Trump, as well as the project links with the controversial businessman Justin Sun, given that the agency’s recent decisions have generated certain suspicions.
Atkins appeared before the Assignments Committee of the House of Representatives, where he was consulted on the regulation of cryptocurrencies, the suspension of a case of fraud against SUN and the recent activity around digital assets linked to the figure of former president Trump.
The doubts about Sun and World Liberty Financial
One of the most tense moments arose when the representative Glenn Ivey (Maryland Democrat) pointed out that Sun’s firm, Tron, I had bought tokens for USD $ 30 million from World Liberty Financial, A company DEFI which says to have links with the US president.
Ivey related this operation to the suspension of the case that the Sec He kept against Sun and his companies, including Tron, What, in his words, “He practically stopped” Judicial action.
In addition, he stressed that Justin Sun published on his networks that He will attend a gala organized by the Trump Memecoin community, aimed at the 220 main holders of the digital asset.
“I feel honored to support @potus and grateful for the invitation of @gettrumpmemes to attend the gala dinner of President Trump as his number one fan!” Sun wrote.
Ivey was alarmed: “This, frankly, seems very bad. I hope the SEC investigates in this regard.”
Atkins defends posture: “It’s an active case”
Paul Atkins, who was appointed by Trump himself and assumed less than a month ago, responded in a measured way. He assured that Sun research remains “An active case” within the agency.
He also indicated that until now, the Sec It does not consider memecoins as values. This statement is key, since it would allow projects such as Trump circular without strict regulation, despite its political or business ties.
During his speech, Atkins insisted that his approach will be different from that of his predecessor, Gary Gensler, who carried out an aggressive campaign against the crypto ecosystem, with demands to large platforms such as Binance and Coinbase. Several of these cases ended up being dismissed or weakened due to lack of regulatory clarity.
New approach: standards -based regulation, not punishments
Atkins detailed his vision of a “New stage” For the Sec, centered on the elaboration of clear standards for the crypto ecosystem, and not so much on the punitive application.
“A key priority of my presidency will be to develop a rational regulatory framework for cryptoactive markets that establish clear rules for the issuance, custody and commercialization of cryptoactive, while continuing to dissuade the malicious actors to violate the law,” He affirmed in his written testimony.
This change of approach could offer greater certainty to the sector, although it has also generated concerns about possible favoritism or lack of control in certain media cases such as Trump and Sun.
During the hearing, the Chuck Edwards representative (North Carolina Republican) asked if the working group on cryptocurrencies created by the Sec would need additional financing.
Atkins replied that no, since it is currently composed of employees in force, led by Commissioner Hester Peirce. Its main function will be to organize round tables and clarify how securities laws apply to the crypto environment.
This group was created in early 2025 by the former interim president of the Sec, Mark Uyeda, in an attempt to renew the dialogue with the technological and financial sector.
Regulation or permissiveness?
The controversy unleashed by the relationship between Trump, Sun and the memecoin that now circulates as a political and financial symbol is not less. It questions the boundaries between political promotion, business interests and financial regulation.
Meanwhile, the presence of figures such as Justin Sun in presidential galas and the lack of firm action by the Sec They raise questions about the impartiality of the regulator.
We will have to wait if the new Atkins leadership manages to balance the development of a clear framework with the duty to avoid a history of favoritism or impunity in the crypto sector.
Article written by a content editor. Edited by Angel Di Matteo / Diariobitcoin
Original image of Diariobitcoin, created with artificial intelligence, for free use, licensed under public domain.
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