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Gary Gensler Resigns as SEC Chair, Chris Giancarlo, Ex-CFTC Chair for Crypto Czar?
- Gary Gensler resigns as SEC Chair, effective January 20, coinciding with President-elect Trump’s inauguration, marking the end of a tenure marked by aggressive cryptocurrency regulation.
- Gensler and the SEC face a lawsuit from 18 US states for overstepping authority in crypto enforcement, accused of acting without Congressional approval.
- Potential candidates for the SEC Chair include Paul Atkins, Pam Bondi, and less than crypto-friendly nominee Bill Stebbins.
- Also, the potential White House Crypto Czar could be Chris Giancarlo, signalling possible shifts in regulatory priorities.
Gary Gensler, Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has announced his resignation effective January 20, aligning with President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
So, the rumour about Gensler packing up and leaving after Thanksgiving turned out to be true. Well, kind of.
The former investment banker announced his resignation on X, saying:
The staff and the Commission are deeply mission-driven, focused on protecting investors, facilitating capital formation, and ensuring that the markets work for investors and issuers alike […] It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve with them on behalf of everyday Americans and ensure that our capital markets remain the best in the world.
Gary Gensler Related: Finance Pro Linked to Tether, Howard Lutnick, Nominated For Trump’s Cabinet
The End of an Era
Gensler’s departure marks the end of a tenure characterised by aggressive regulatory scrutiny, particularly in the cryptocurrency sector. I’m sure his presence will be dearly missed by many in the crypto community.
Ok, jokes aside, Gensler’s resignation was met with some relatable reactions from the cryptocurrency community, which has long viewed him as an infamous figure.
Attorney John Deaton quickly reacted to the news, and had a message for Gansler that quickly resonated with absolutely everyone in the crypto community.
Industry figures have criticised his firm stance on crypto-related matters, citing the absence of a clear regulatory framework as a barrier to progress and abusing his power.
Even US judges have criticised the SEC for its practices throughout 2024. Chief District Judge Robert Shelby, for example, said the SEC acted in “bad faith” and was “deliberately perpetuating falsehoods” in its dispute with Digital Licensing.
What a Timing
Gensler’s announcement follows a lawsuit filed against the SEC and him personally by a coalition of 18 US states. Talk about problems.
The lawsuit accuses the agency of overstepping its authority through enforcement actions against cryptocurrency firms without explicit Congressional approval. States involved include Texas, Ohio, Wyoming, and Nebraska, among others.
The complaint emphasises the SEC’s lack of jurisdiction in regulating cryptocurrencies, stating:
“The SEC has not respected this allocation of authority. Instead, without Congressional authorization, the SEC has sought to unilaterally wrest regulatory authority away from the States through an ongoing series of enforcement actions.”
During his campaign, President-elect Trump had previously criticised the SEC’s regulatory policies, particularly regarding cryptocurrencies. He pledged to appoint new leadership at the agency, signalling a potential shift in regulatory priorities. Gensler’s resignation aligns with this anticipated change, closing a contentious chapter for the SEC.
Related: Bloomberg: Trump Considers Establishing First-Ever White House Crypto Role
Who Will Take on the Role?
There are many contenders, most of them are pro-crypto figures, including Paul Atkins, Pam Bondi, and not-so-crypto-friendly nominee Bill Stebbins.
And then there is another roled that could become important to crypto: the White House Crypto Czar. Which would be a newly created role that could be involved in a potential crypto advisory council.
One strong contender is Chris Giancarlo, a.k.a. “Crypto Dad”, who is a lawyer and the former head of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) during President-elect Trump’s first term in 2017.
According to a report from Fox Business, Giancarlo is open to being the new Crypto Czar. However, sources with direct knowledge of the matter say other candidates may emerge in the coming weeks if the panel becomes formalised.
Author
José Oramas
José is a journalist and translator with a keen interest in blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
