There’s a new Wall Street sheriff in town — and here’s what Paul Atkins plans to do

New York Post - May 9th, 2025

Paul Atkins, the new chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), appointed by former President Trump, is poised to reverse many of the initiatives set forth by his predecessor, Gary Gensler. Atkins, a securities lawyer and former SEC commissioner, aims to steer the agency back to its core mission: protecting investors, ensuring fair and efficient markets, and facilitating capital formation. He plans to halt Gensler's progressive pursuits, such as mandatory corporate carbon footprint disclosures and aggressive regulation of the crypto industry. Atkins also intends to reform the pathway for companies to go public, addressing what he perceives as overly burdensome regulations that have led to a decline in publicly traded companies.

Atkins' tenure is expected to bring significant changes, with a potential shift in the oversight of digital currencies to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which he believes is better suited for the task. This move would reduce the SEC's role in crypto regulation, aligning with Atkins' emphasis on focusing the agency's efforts on traditional securities. Additionally, he is looking to revisit rules on proxy advisory firms, which were previously enacted during the Trump administration under Jay Clayton. These changes underscore Atkins' commitment to refocusing the SEC on its foundational principles, contrasting sharply with Gensler's broader, more progressive agenda.

Biden Trump Sec Paul Atkins Crypto Regulation Gary Gensler Carbon Footprint Disclosures Capital Formation Proxy Advisory Firms

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RATING

5.8

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant examination of the recent leadership change at the SEC, focusing on the anticipated policy shifts under Paul Atkins. It effectively communicates the main points with clarity, although it could benefit from a more balanced presentation of perspectives and greater transparency in sourcing. The reliance on unnamed insiders for speculative claims about future regulatory actions limits the article's authority, and a more diverse range of sources would enhance its credibility. Despite these limitations, the article addresses issues of significant public interest and has the potential to influence discussions about financial regulation. By incorporating a broader array of viewpoints and verifying some of the more speculative claims, the article could offer a more comprehensive and authoritative analysis of the SEC's evolving role in market oversight.

Accuracy

The article accurately reports on Paul Atkins' appointment as the new SEC chairman and his background as a securities lawyer and former commissioner. These claims are supported by reliable sources. However, the article makes several forward-looking statements and predictions about Atkins' regulatory approach, such as reversing Gary Gensler's policies, which are based on insider opinions rather than official SEC announcements. While these predictions align with Atkins' public statements about focusing on traditional SEC roles, they require further verification through formal policy actions. Additionally, the claim that the number of publicly traded stocks has almost halved since 1996 is plausible but not directly confirmed in the article, necessitating independent data verification.

Balance

The article predominantly presents a perspective favoring Paul Atkins' approach to the SEC, emphasizing a return to traditional regulatory focuses and critiquing Gensler's progressive policies. This creates an imbalance by not adequately representing counterarguments or the potential benefits of Gensler's initiatives, such as increased corporate transparency through ESG disclosures. The lack of diverse viewpoints limits the reader's understanding of the broader implications of the SEC's policy shifts and may lead to a skewed perception of the changes under Atkins' leadership.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, providing a coherent narrative about the expected changes at the SEC under Paul Atkins. The text uses straightforward language and logical flow to convey the main points. However, the tone occasionally leans towards opinion, particularly in its characterization of Gensler's policies as 'lefty pursuits,' which may affect the perceived neutrality of the piece. Maintaining a more neutral tone throughout would improve clarity and ensure the article is perceived as an objective analysis of the SEC's leadership transition.

Source quality

The article cites a 'top SEC official' and 'SEC insider' as primary sources, which are not named, potentially affecting the credibility and reliability of the information. While these sources may offer valuable insider perspectives, their anonymity raises questions about the authenticity and bias of their statements. The article would benefit from a broader range of sources, including official SEC statements or independent expert analyses, to strengthen its credibility and provide a more comprehensive view of the anticipated changes under Atkins.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in its sourcing and methodology, as it relies heavily on unnamed insiders without disclosing their potential biases or conflicts of interest. The absence of direct quotes from public statements or official documents further obscures the basis for the article's claims. More explicit disclosure of the sources' identities or their positions within the SEC, as well as references to official policy documents or public statements, would enhance transparency and allow readers to better assess the validity of the information presented.