SEC Chair Paul Atkins Declares U.S. "Crypto Capital of the World" in 2026 Congressional Testimony

On February 11, 2026, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins testified before the House Financial Services Committee, reaffirming his commitment to transforming the United States into the "crypto capital of the world" through a focus on transparency and innovation. During the hearing, Atkins outlined the agency's 2026 priorities, specifically highlighting the move away from "regulation-by-enforcement" toward a clear regulatory framework for digital assets.

Key developments mentioned in his testimony included the expansion of "Project Crypto"—now a joint collaboration with the CFTC to eliminate jurisdictional uncertainty— and the introduction of a new "innovation exemption" scheduled for rollout in 2026 to help blockchain firms launch products with reduced regulatory hurdles.

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