The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ispreparing a major overhaul of its approach to digital assets, with Chair PaulAtkins declaring that “most crypto tokens are not securities.” The shift marks a move away from enforcement-ledoversight toward a structured framework that could give firms clearer guidanceon trading, lending, and staking activities.Project Crypto AnnouncedSpeaking at the OECD Roundtable in Paris, Atkinsunveiled Project Crypto, an initiative to modernize securities regulations forblockchain markets. He said the SEC would deliver “clear, predictable rules”instead of relying on individual enforcement actions. “It is a new day at theSEC,” he told delegates.JUST IN: 🇺🇸 SEC Chair Paul Atkins says "ladies and gentlemen, we must admit that crypto’s time has come.""President Trump has tasked me with making America the crypto capital of the world" 🚀 pic.twitter.com/qMYUVzUvxy— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) September 10, 2025The plan builds on recommendations from thePresident’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, which urged U.S. regulatorsto clarify the regulatory status of tokens and streamline rules for on-chaincapital raising.Under the proposal, crypto platforms could operate as“super-apps,” combining trading, lending, and staking under a single regulatorystructure. Firms would also be allowed to offer multiple custody options forinvestors.Atkins cited the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regime as an example of a comprehensive system and said U.S. policymakers could learn from it. He also called for closerinternational cooperation to ensure digital asset markets can grow acrossborders.Europe’s InfluenceThe SEC’s new direction comes as the European BankingAuthority finalizes stricter capital rules for banks holding unbacked cryptosuch as Bitcoin and Ether. The framework assigns these assets a 1,250% riskweight, requiring lenders to set aside significant buffers.You may also like: CFTC to “Explore” Allowing MiCA-Authorized Platforms to Serve U.S. MarketsBy contrast, the U.S. Federal Deposit InsuranceCorporation has allowed supervised banks to enter crypto activities withoutprior approval, and Switzerland has revised its laws to bolster custody andstablecoin services.Atkins said the SEC’s priority is to provide certaintyon whether tokens qualify as securities and to enable platform innovation. “Wemust allow for ‘super-app’ trading platform innovation that increases choicefor market participants,” he said. The SEC will now work with other U.S. agencies toalign rules across digital asset markets as Congress drafts wider cryptolegislation.This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.