According to CoinMeta, Paul Atkins, the chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), stated that if Congress fails to pass a clear bill, the SEC is prepared to formulate rules for the crypto market as a backup option for congressional negotiations. Atkins said in an interview with CNBC that the SEC is "ready, willing, and able" to address the issues covered by the bill using its existing authority, but he emphasized that legislation remains the preferred path, as "the bill is the way to ensure a future safeguard." He mentioned that the SEC has already included several crypto projects in its 2026 regulatory agenda, with plans to establish clearer rules for crypto fundraising, custody, and tokenized securities trading.