US Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins signaled support for streamlined disclosure rules and limited tokenised equity pilots during remarks to the agency’s Investor Advisory Committee.
Atkins said the SEC should pursue a “minimum effective dose” approach to regulation, focusing disclosure requirements primarily on material information and scaling reporting rules based on company size.
“Decisions on board structure, ESG metrics, and related governance questions should remain in the hands of shareholders and directors,”
Said SEC Chair, Paul Atkins.
He also proposed extending the JOBS Act “IPO on-ramp” framework to give small and mid-sized companies more time with lighter disclosure requirements as they transition into public markets.
Atkins criticised “comply or explain” governance mandates as a form of “shaming regulation,” arguing such rules pressure companies into specific governance models without formal legal requirements.
On tokenisation, the SEC chair said the agency is considering an “innovation exemption” that would allow tightly limited trading of tokenised equity securities under controlled pilot programs.