SEC Chair Backs Trump's Move to Alter Wall Street Reports

- SEC Chairman Paul Atkins endorsed Donald Trump's proposal for optional semiannual earnings reporting. - The SEC's 3-1 Republican majority signals a likely regulatory shift. On September 19, 2025, CNBC’s “Squawk Box” reported that Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins announced his support for a proposal from former President Donald Trump. The proposal would allow public companies to optionally switch from mandatory quarterly earnings reports to a semiannual schedule, signaling a likely regulatory shift in corporate disclosure standards. Atkins aligned himself with Trump's recent efforts to challenge the quarterly reporting system, referring to it as "the president’s posting" and confirming that he had discussed the matter with Trump. Under the proposed rule, companies could choose to either maintain the quarterly reporting model or adopt a six-month reporting framework. On September 19, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins said during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” “For the sake of shareholders and public companies, the market can decide what the proper cadence is.” The proposal builds on remarks Trump made earlier in the week, in which he criticized the mandatory quarterly disclosure format for promoting a short-term focus among corporate executives. Trump argued that shifting to semiannual reporting would save money and allow managers to focus on properly running their companies. Proponents of the policy claim that less frequent reporting nurtures long-term thinking and prioritizes sustained value creation over short-term gains. Supporters include major institutional stakeholders like Norway's sovereign wealth fund and the Long-Term Stock Exchange. In addition, Atkins noted that international firms trading in the U.S. often adhere to semiannual reporting standards, suggesting the change could harmonize regulatory practices. However, the proposal raises transparency concerns. Critics argue that less frequent reporting could deprive smaller investors of timely updates on corporate performance and worry that longer intervals may give insiders an unfair advantage, as institutional players might access relevant information sooner. Despite such opposition, the rule change is likely to pass due to the SEC’s current 3-1 Republican majority. The process will involve the formal release of a proposal, a public comment period, and a final vote by the SEC. According to CoinMarketCap on September 19, Ethereum (ETH) was trading at $1,643, with its 24-hour trading volume up by 1.5%.