In a landmark statement during the SEC’s Crypto Task Force Roundtable on June 9, SEC Chair Paul Atkins expressed strong support for decentralized finance (DeFi), declaring it aligned with core American values such as economic liberty, property rights, and innovation. His remarks are being seen as a major win for the DeFi industry—and Ethereum in particular.
Atkins criticized the reliance on “century-old regulatory frameworks” when evaluating blockchain technology, emphasizing that existing securities laws were not designed for decentralized, self-executing software systems.
Regulatory Clarity for Ethereum and Staking
In a pivotal moment for Ethereum, Atkins clarified that participation in proof-of-stake or proof-of-work networks—as miners, validators, or staking-as-a-service providers—does not fall under federal securities laws. He also affirmed that developing or publishing staking software and crypto wallets does not constitute brokerage activity.
This guidance has been widely interpreted as a green light for Ethereum-based DeFi activities in the United States, helping reduce the regulatory uncertainty that has loomed over the industry.
SEC Proposes Innovation-Friendly Framework
Atkins proposed the creation of an “innovation exemption”—a fast-track framework that would allow compliant on-chain projects to enter the market with fewer hurdles. He tasked SEC staff with drafting guidance for blockchain-related registrants and exploring rule amendments that better accommodate decentralized finance systems.
This shift aims to align with President Trump’s ambition to establish the U.S. as the “crypto capital of the planet”, encouraging responsible innovation on American soil.
ETH Price Surges 8% Following Positive SEC Outlook
Following the SEC Chair’s pro-DeFi remarks, Ethereum (ETH) surged 8%, rising from below $2,500 to peak at $2,720 during Tuesday morning trading in Asia. Though the $2,720 resistance has held strong in recent weeks, market sentiment turned optimistic amid the regulatory clarity.
Ethereum continues to lead the DeFi market with $68 billion in total value locked, holding a dominant 55% market share, according to DeFiLlama.
Former Ethereum developer Eric Conner commented on the news, saying:
“Ethereum gets regulatory clarity for staking, self-custody, and open-source infra. If this becomes policy, the U.S. becomes the crypto capital of the world.”
