The chief of the SEC is headlining an event sponsored by a crypto firm at war with it

CoinDesk

by Jesse Hamilton

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The SEC Chairman, Paul Atkins, is set to headline the DC Blockchain Summit, an event primarily sponsored by Unicoin—a company embroiled in a legal dispute with the SEC. This situation has sparked intrigue as Unicoin's CEO claims that Atkins and other commissioners are being misled by their staff, accusing them of perpetuating a "legacy war on crypto." Despite being barred from direct communication due to ongoing litigation, Unicoin is leveraging the summit to push its narrative, even placing ads around Washington questioning the SEC's actions. The legal battle between Unicoin and the SEC dates back to May 2025 when the agency sued the company and its executives for allegedly raising $100 million through unbacked tokens. Unicoin's CEO, Alexander Konanykhin, argues that rogue enforcers within the SEC are continuing former Chair Gary Gensler's crypto-focused agenda. He alleges that these staff members are misleading Atkins, despite the current leadership's efforts to repair relations with the crypto industry. The summit itself aims to foster open dialogue and bridge gaps between regulators and the crypto community. While Unicoin is prohibited from directly engaging with SEC leaders, the event provides a platform for broader discussions on regulation and innovation. This confluence of conflicting interests highlights tensions within the crypto space regarding regulatory enforcement and its impact on startups. Konanykhin's campaign, featuring trucks displaying messages like "The War on Crypto is NOT over," underscores his sharp critique of the SEC's approach. He praises Atkins' efforts to repair damages but accuses enforcement staff of sabotaging these initiatives by maintaining outdated legal strategies. This reflects a broader debate within the crypto community about whether current regulations are stifling innovation or necessary for market stability. This situation matters significantly to crypto enthusiasts and industry players as it underscores ongoing challenges in navigating regulatory landscapes. The conflict between Unicoin and the SEC highlights tensions over enforcement

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Originally published on CoinDesk on 2/25/2026