The crypto industry is gearing up for a pivotal moment as Paul Atkins, Chairperson of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is set to speak at a major roundtable on crypto custody regulations. Scheduled for Friday, April 25, 2025, this event marks Atkins' first public appearance on digital assets since assuming leadership of the SEC earlier this month.

What’s the Event All About?

Titled “Know Your Custodian: Key Considerations for Crypto Custody”, the roundtable will run from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET (which translates to 10:30 pm IST on April 25 to 2:30 am IST on April 26 for Indian audiences). The meeting aims to gather insights from major stakeholders on how to handle digital asset custody in a secure, compliant, and scalable way.

The event is not just a typical closed-door meeting but a publicly watched, high-stakes forum, with representation from top SEC officials, major crypto custody service providers, and legal experts.

Who Will Be Speaking?

The panel will be moderated by Zach Zweihorn of Davis Polk & Wardwell, a law firm deeply involved in financial regulation. Speakers include:

• Paul S. Atkins, SEC Chair

• Richard Gabbert, Chief of Staff, Crypto Task Force

• Caroline Crenshaw, Mark Uyeda, and Hester Peirce, SEC Commissioners

• Terrence Dempsey, Fidelity Digital Asset Services

• Baylor Myers, BitGo Inc.

• Tammy Weinrib, Copper Technologies Ltd

This line-up reflects a strong mix of regulatory, legal, and industry perspectives, making it one of the most important crypto regulatory discussions of the year.

Why This Roundtable Matters for Crypto Investors

The roundtable is expected to signal the direction of crypto policy under Atkins, who has long been seen as a proponent of deregulated innovation. His appointment by US President Donald Trump, who has touted himself as the most crypto-friendly president, underscores a shifting landscape for digital finance.

Industry watchers are particularly hopeful that the event could lead to:

• Clearer rules on digital asset custody, which has been a grey area due to lack of consistent standards

• Less aggressive enforcement compared to former SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s tenure

• Encouragement of institutional participation in the crypto sector with better custody infrastructure

The Market Reaction: Bitcoin Up, Ethereum Down

Amid rising optimism, Bitcoin has surged by over 37.18% in the past six months, gaining $24,983.38 and reaching a new level of $92,172.81. This trend highlights investor confidence in the Trump administration’s crypto-friendly stance and anticipation of favorable reforms under Atkins.

However, Ethereum has seen a decline of 30.93%, losing $786.67 in the same period. Experts suggest the dip may be related to scaling concerns, market repositioning, or shifts in investor sentiment towards Bitcoin as a store of value over Ethereum's utility function.

From Regulation to Adoption: What’s Next for Crypto?

With more institutional investors eyeing the crypto space, especially after Fidelity, BlackRock, and others started pushing into Bitcoin ETFs, clarity in regulations around crypto custody is one of the last major hurdles.

The roundtable may also touch on:

• How custodians should segregate client assets

• Cybersecurity requirements for wallet management

• Disclosure norms and auditing standards

• Interoperability of custody systems across jurisdictions

All of which are critical to building investor trust and unlocking mainstream adoption.

Paul Atkins vs Gary Gensler: A Different Regulatory Philosophy

The difference between Atkins and his predecessor Gary Gensler is expected to be stark. While Gensler focused on tight enforcement and pushing crypto under the securities framework, Atkins is known for a lighter regulatory approach, believing in letting innovation flourish with minimal interference.

Under Trump’s new SEC, the crypto community anticipates:

• Rolling back of punitive policies

• Pathways for approval of more crypto-related financial products

• Collaborative regulation instead of adversarial stances

Crypto Custody: Why It’s a Hot Topic

Custody of digital assets is central to the growth of crypto markets, especially for institutional investors, mutual funds, and even governments exploring digital currencies.

Key concerns include:

• How to ensure that private keys are not lost or stolen

• Ensuring transparency and legal clarity in who owns what

• Making sure crypto custodians operate under robust risk management frameworks

By focusing on “Know Your Custodian,” the SEC is signaling the need for strong compliance without stifling innovation.

India’s Crypto Watchers Have Eyes on This Event Too

The event's timing — late evening on April 25 through early morning April 26 in India — makes it accessible to Indian crypto enthusiasts and investors, who have been seeking cues on how global regulation is evolving.

Indian markets have faced their own regulatory uncertainties with high taxation and unclear legality of exchanges, making the US policy direction even more influential.

Conclusion: An Era of Optimism Returns to Crypto

The upcoming SEC crypto custody roundtable led by Paul Atkins represents more than just a regulatory meeting — it is a litmus test for the new US administration’s stance on digital assets.

With Bitcoin rallying, key industry leaders participating, and a regulatory shift underway, this could be a watershed moment for crypto investors globally.

As the event unfolds, market participants, from retail to institutional, will be watching closely to see whether this marks the beginning of a new era in global crypto policy — one that finally strikes a balance between regulation and innovation.

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