Paul Atkins

SEC Drops Fraud Cases Against Trump Clemency Recipients, Abandoning Victims

| Importance: 9/10

The Securities and Exchange Commission under Trump-appointed chairman Paul Atkins abandoned civil enforcement cases seeking tens of millions in restitution from Devon Archer, Trevor Milton, and Carlos Watson—all convicted fraudsters pardoned or given clemency by Trump. The SEC filed joint …

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SEC chair attended Don Jr.'s party before SEC granted Don Jr.-backed gun company approval to go public

| Importance: 7/10

Paul Atkins, serving as SEC chair in the second Trump administration, attended the launch party for Trump’s Georgetown MAGA private member’s club before approving a Donald Trump Jr.-backed company, GrabAGun, to trade publicly, raising concerns about potential regulatory capture.

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Crypto ally Paul Atkins sworn in to replace Gary Gensler atop U.S. SEC

| Importance: 8/10

In a significant regulatory shift, Trump-allied Paul Atkins was sworn in as SEC chairman on April 22, 2025, replacing Gary Gensler. The transition signals a potential transformation in cryptocurrency and financial regulatory approaches, with Atkins indicating an immediate willingness to implement …

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SEC Restructures Enforcement Division Under Trump Administration

| Importance: 7/10

The SEC restructures its enforcement and examination divisions under the Trump administration, consolidating regional offices from 10 to 4, reducing senior leadership positions, and implementing a more focused approach to regulatory enforcement

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SEC Launches Crypto Task Force with Significant Staffing Changes

| Importance: 7/10

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) restructured its cryptocurrency regulatory approach by dissolving its previous Crypto Asset and Cyber Unit and launching a new Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit, signaling a shift from enforcement to regulatory framework development.

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