U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins expressed confidence that the crypto market structure bill will reach President Donald Trump’s desk this year.
In a Monday interview with Fox Business, Atkins outlined his outlook for crypto regulation in 2026. He praised the passage of the GENIUS Act in 2025, calling it a key step toward providing regulatory clarity in the United States.
Looking ahead, he pointed to the bipartisan crypto market structure bill as the next major boost for the domestic crypto industry.
“This [bill] aligns with the president’s goal of making America the global crypto hub,” Atkins said. “Clear legislation and rules create certainty in the marketplace.”
“We’re behind it, we’re very bullish on the effects of the bill getting to the president to be signed this year and I think that will really be a huge help to the crypto marketplace.”
On Monday, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, which oversees the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), delayed the final markup of the crypto market structure bill to the end of January, citing the need for more time to finalize details and build support.
The committee had originally planned to mark up the bill on Thursday, coinciding with the Senate Banking Committee’s markup of the same legislation, which oversees the SEC. The Banking Committee’s markup will proceed as scheduled.
Growing anticipation around the bill could face a setback if a potential government shutdown occurs, which may happen if the House fails to pass a set of spending bills by January 30.
On X, SEC Chair Paul Atkins emphasized that the most crucial step for investors right now is to “bring crypto asset markets out of the regulatory gray zone.” He added, “Passing bipartisan market structure legislation will help us future-proof against rogue regulators and advance President Trump’s goal of making the U.S. the global crypto capital.”
The bill is widely viewed as a major step toward establishing clear oversight of the U.S. crypto market, aiming to give primary regulatory authority to both the SEC and the CFTC.
