SEC Chairman: Will establish a regulatory framework for on-chain markets and calls on Congress to pass the CLARITY Act

According to the SEC's official website, Paul S. Atkins, the chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), spoke at the AI+ Expo on May 8, expressing the regulatory direction for AI and on-chain financial markets.

Atkins stated that the SEC will promote several regulatory initiatives around on-chain markets, including: establishing relevant rules for the definition of "exchanges" for on-chain trading systems; clarifying the applicability of the definitions of brokers and dealers in on-chain activities; delineating the applicable boundaries of the definition of "clearing agencies" for on-chain clearing and settlement activities; and providing regulatory guidance for activities related to "Crypto Vaults."

Regarding AI regulation, Atkins emphasized that the SEC will not mandate companies to use specific models but will adhere to its core responsibilities of protecting investors, maintaining market fairness and efficiency, and promoting capital formation, requiring companies to be accountable for the outcomes of the AI tools they deploy.

Atkins also urged Congress to promptly send the CLARITY Act to the President for signing, to provide long-term certainty for the digital asset market through legislation, and warned that forcing innovation offshore would repeat the mistakes of FTX, harming the interests of American investors.