In a landmark policy announcement, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) launched “Project Crypto,” a major initiative aimed at modernizing securities laws and bringing crypto innovation back to America.

Speaking at a press conference, SEC Chair Paul Atkins said the agency would no longer sit back as other nations advance blockchain adoption. “We won’t let innovation escape our borders while our financial markets remain stuck in the past,” he stated.

Project Crypto represents the SEC’s official pivot toward supporting President Trump’s vision of making America the global hub for digital assets and blockchain technology.

What Is Project Crypto?

Project Crypto is a Commission-wide plan to update outdated securities rules and create a clear path for blockchain-based products, including cryptocurrencies, tokenized assets, and stablecoins.

Atkins said the initiative will involve:

• Drafting new rules for crypto asset trading, custody, and issuance.
• Working with the Crypto Task Force, led by Commissioner Hester Peirce.
• Using exemptions and guidance to ease compliance while protecting investors.
• Ending hostile regulation-by-enforcement tactics from previous administrations.

Backing Trump’s Pro-Crypto Vision

The announcement follows President Trump’s signing of the GENIUS Act—legislation that sets a regulatory standard for stablecoins in the U.S. The law aims to make the U.S. a leader in digital payments and blockchain-based financial systems.

Atkins praised the bipartisan momentum in Congress and referenced the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, which recently issued a report calling for America to dominate the blockchain economy.

New Rules for Crypto Assets

A key part of Project Crypto is clarifying which crypto assets are securities and which are not. The SEC plans to create simple guidelines that help categorize tokens as:

• Digital collectibles
• Stablecoins
• Commodities
• Securities (like tokenized stocks or voting rights)

Atkins also proposed “safe harbors” and tailored disclosures for projects issuing tokens through:

• Airdrops
• ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings)
• Network rewards

Bringing Crypto Business Back Onshore

For years, U.S. innovators have avoided launching tokens in America due to legal uncertainty. Many formed offshore foundations or rushed to decentralize projects just to avoid SEC scrutiny.

Atkins said that will change. The new framework will allow legitimate projects to operate legally in the U.S., and help them avoid unnecessary legal hurdles.

He also addressed the growing demand from traditional companies wanting to tokenize assets like stocks or bonds. Many of these firms are waiting for the green light to launch these products in U.S. markets.

Final Thoughts: A New Chapter for Crypto Regulation

Project Crypto signals a new era for digital asset regulation in the U.S. The SEC’s tone has shifted from hostility to support. Under this approach, startups, investors, and traditional firms alike may soon find a clear, safe path to innovate in America.

As Chair Atkins said: “We’re opening the door to a Cambrian explosion of innovation. The U.S. must lead the way—and under Project Crypto, we will.”