PANews reported on December 10th, citing The Block, that SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, facing a series of new year policy priorities regarding cryptocurrencies, stated, "The best is yet to come. Next year, all the seeds we've sown will begin to sprout and grow, and we'll be able to reap the rewards." Atkins outlined an ambitious agenda aimed at clarifying the agency's stance on cryptocurrencies. He revealed that one of the top priorities for the new year will be "innovation exemptions" for crypto and fintech projects—a conditional and time-limited regulatory leniency framework designed to reduce compliance costs and encourage innovation. He expressed hope that the framework could be formally launched around the end of January.

Regarding the issue of token classification, he turned his attention to Capitol Hill. Lawmakers are pushing for a comprehensive bill to regulate cryptocurrencies, a key element of which is clarifying the jurisdictional boundaries between the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Previously, it was reported that the Senate was pushing hard for the bill, hoping to pass the crucial Senate Banking Committee review before the end of the year, but negotiations currently appear to be progressing slowly. Atkins said, "We'll wait and see what Congress decides to do with the legislation."