Breaking news

SEC Chair Atkins Calls For Crypto Industry Revitalization Amid Regulatory Shifts

SEC Chair Atkins at Roundtable

April 25, 2025, Washington D.C. — In a landmark discussion at the SEC headquarters, Chairman Paul Atkins highlighted the need for a profound overhaul in crypto regulations, asserting that innovation has been stifled in recent years. The half-day roundtable featured executives from major crypto companies, outlining the urgent need for clear guidelines, particularly in crypto custody. For example, Anchorage Digital Bank and Kraken, among others, shared insights on overcoming federal securities law challenges.

Atkins, accompanied by Commissioners Caroline Crenshaw, Mark Uyeda, and Hester Peirce, emphasized a shift from adversarial to collaborative regulatory approaches. This comes in the wake of a historic decision where the SEC dropped its long-standing lawsuit against Ripple, spotlighting the evolving legal landscape of crypto.

Regulatory Innovations and Challenges

Atkins expressed the SEC’s willingness to revisit crypto-related rules, noting, “We have a large gambit of ability to operate.” In January, the SEC’s rescinding of Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 signified an opening for institutional crypto adoption. Hester Peirce celebrated the change, highlighting the need for regulations that recognize diverse crypto asset custodians.

The tensions still linger between ensuring investor protection and managing decentralized assets’ practical realities. Peirce noted, “The Commission must grapple with these issues.” Companies like BitGo and Copper Technologies pinpointed challenges, such as a lack of clarity, causing roadblocks in creating regulatory-compliant solutions.

The ongoing discourse around custody reflects a broader industry call to action, encouraging regulated entities to better serve their clientele within the crypto domain. With President Trump’s administration exerting significant influence through favorable policies, such as the creation of a strategic bitcoin reserve, the landscape appears ripe for adjustment.

For further insight into the crypto sector’s financial dynamics, see DOGE’s Financial Dynamics: Savings vs. Taxpayer Costs.

Looking Ahead

The SEC’s roundtable indicates renewed interest and a pivotal moment for the crypto industry. With proactive steps yet to be finalized, stakeholders keenly await how U.S. regulatory approaches might adapt to accommodate digital innovation while protecting investments.

Strained Household Finances: Eurostat Data Reveals Persistent Payment Delays Across Europe and in Cyprus

Improved Financial Resilience Amid Ongoing Strains

Over the past decade, Cypriot households have significantly increased their ability to manage debts—not only bank loans but also rent and utility bills. However, recent Eurostat data indicates that Cyprus continues to lag behind the European average when it comes to covering financial obligations on time.

Household Coping Strategies and the Limits of Payment Flexibility

While many families are managing their fixed expenses with relative ease, one in three Cypriots struggles to cover unexpected costs. This delicate balancing act highlights how routine payments such as mortgage installments, rent, and utility bills are met, but precariously so, with little room for unplanned financial shocks.

Breaking Down Payment Delays Across the European Union

Eurostat reports that nearly 9.2% of the EU population experienced delays with their housing loans, rent, utility bills, or installment payments in 2024. The situation is more acute among vulnerable groups: 17.2% of individuals in single-parent households with dependent children and 16.6% in households with two adults managing three or more dependents faced payment delays. In every EU nation, single-parent households exhibited higher delay rates compared to the overall population.

Cyprus in the Crosshairs: High Rates of Financial Delays

Although Cyprus recorded a notable 19.1 percentage point improvement from 2015 to 2024 in delays related to mortgages, rent, and utility bills, the island nation still ranks among the top five countries with the highest delay rates. As of 2024, 12.5% of the Cypriot population had outstanding housing loans or rent and overdue utility bills. In contrast, Greece tops the list with 42.8%, followed by Bulgaria (18.7%), Romania (15.3%), Spain (14.2%), and other EU members. Notably, 19 out of 27 EU countries reported delay rates below 10%, with Czech Republic (3.4%) and Netherlands (3.9%) leading the pack.

Selective Improvements and Emerging Concerns

Between 2015 and 2024, the overall EU population saw a 2.6 percentage point decline in payment delays. Despite this, certain countries experienced increases: Luxembourg (+3.3 percentage points), Spain (+2.5 percentage points), and Germany (+2.0 percentage points) saw a rise in payment delays, reflecting underlying economic pressures that continue to challenge financial stability.

Economic Insecurity and the Unprepared for Emergencies

Another critical indicator explored by Eurostat is the prevalence of economic insecurity—the proportion of the population unable to handle unexpected financial expenses. In 2024, 30% of the EU population reported being unable to cover unforeseen costs, a modest improvement of 1.2 percentage points from 2023 and a significant 7.4 percentage point drop compared to a decade ago. In Cyprus, while 34.8% still report difficulty handling emergencies, this marks a drastic improvement from 2015, when the figure stood at 60.5%.

A Broader EU Perspective

Importantly, no EU country in 2024 had more than half of its population facing economic insecurity—a notable improvement from 2015, when over 50% of the population in nine countries reported such challenges. These figures underscore both progress and persistent vulnerabilities within European households, urging policymakers to consider targeted measures for enhancing financial resilience.

For further insights and detailed analysis, refer to the original reports on Philenews and Housing Loans.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter