SEC Chairman: The combination of blockchain and AI will usher in new prosperity, and the SEC is determined to seize the opportunity

On September 11th, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul S. Atkins published a keynote reiterating the core arguments he made at the inaugural OECD Roundtable on Global Financial Markets.

He emphasized that the SEC's regulatory priorities in the crypto-asset sector are clear: ensuring the security and compliance of crypto-assets and clarifying the boundaries of their legal nature.

He noted that the vast majority of crypto tokens do not qualify as securities, and the SEC will continue to work to clarify relevant policies to clearly distinguish between different types of crypto-assets and apply corresponding regulatory frameworks.

Atkins further stated that blockchain technology is profoundly transforming the trading and settlement mechanisms of financial markets, improving efficiency and transparency. Simultaneously, artificial intelligence is driving the rise of "agent finance"—a financial operating system executed by autonomous AI agents that can execute trades, allocate capital, and manage risk at speeds far exceeding those of humans, with compliance logic embedded in their underlying code that complies with securities laws.

He believes the potential benefits of this technological convergence are significant: markets will become more efficient and cost-effective, and investment strategies and tools previously reserved for large Wall Street institutions will become more widely accessible to individual investors.

By combining the intelligent analysis and predictions of AI with the immutable and decentralized nature of blockchain, we will not only significantly enhance the decision-making capabilities of individual investors but also promote an optimized competitive environment in the financial market, ushering in a new round of economic prosperity.

The SEC has clearly stated that it will actively respond to the regulatory and innovation opportunities presented by this current technological convergence, committed to promoting the continued leadership and healthy development of the United States in the field of financial technology while safeguarding market stability and investor rights.