The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has agreed to dismiss its lawsuit against cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, marking a significant shift in regulatory oversight under the new administration.

Kraken, which was accused of operating as an unregistered securities exchange, announced that the case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled. The company maintained that the lawsuit was politically motivated and hindered innovation in the crypto sector.

Kraken stated that the dismissal involved no admission of wrongdoing, no penalties, and no required changes to its business model.

The SEC had sued Kraken in 2023 as part of a broader crackdown on crypto firms under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler. However, the regulator has since scaled back its enforcement efforts, also ending a similar case against Coinbase and considering a resolution in its fraud case against entrepreneur Justin Sun.

The decision follows United States President Donald Trump's appointment of Paul Atkins, a lawyer with a pro-crypto stance, to lead the SEC. Kraken remains one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, ranking 10th globally in trading volume and liquidity.

The outcome signals a shift in the regulatory landscape, with growing support for digital assets under the current administration.