_Trump Team Eyes Atkins, Ex-SEC Commissioner, to Succeed Gensler_
In a move that could significantly impact the cryptocurrency industry, President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is considering Paul Atkins, a former SEC commissioner, to succeed Gary Gensler as the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).¹
Atkins, known for his pro-digital assets stance, is among several contenders for the role, including current SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda, securities lawyer Teresa Goody Guillén, and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP partner Robert Stebbins.
_Gensler’s Departure and Trump’s Crypto-Friendly Approach_
Gensler’s term was set to expire in 2026, but he announced his intention to resign on January 20, 2025, coinciding with Trump’s inauguration.² This move paves the way for Trump to appoint a new SEC chair who shares his crypto-friendly views.
Trump has previously pledged to create a strategic Bitcoin stockpile and appoint crypto-friendly regulators.³ His transition team is reviewing a mix of current regulators, former officials, and financial industry leaders who favor a less restrictive stance on digital assets.
_Potential Impact on Crypto Regulation_
The appointment of a crypto-friendly SEC chair could signal a significant shift in US digital asset oversight. Atkins, in particular, has testified before Congress on restructuring the SEC and reducing burdensome regulations.
Other contenders, such as Hester Peirce and Mark Uyeda, have also voiced their disapproval of the SEC’s policies under President Biden. Peirce is seen as a potential interim SEC chair, with the possibility of heading a federal task force on crypto regulation.
As the crypto industry awaits the announcement of Gensler’s successor, one thing is clear: the next SEC chair will play a crucial role in shaping the future of digital assets in Trump Team Eyes Atkins, Ex-SEC Commissioner, to Succeed Gensler write an article in my requestthe United States.
