Teresa Goody Guillén, a blockchain advocate with deep regulatory roots, is reportedly Donald Trump’s top pick to lead his U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The president has made it clear he’s had enough of Gary Gensler and his aggressive enforcement style, and now he’s looking for someone who not only understands the rules but can work with the crypto industry instead of treating it like the enemy.
Guillén is a partner at BakerHostetler and the co-leader of its blockchain practice. She worked at the SEC during the Obama administration and later took her skills to private practice, where she helped companies fend off the same agency she once served.
This blend of insider knowledge and industry advocacy has made her a favorite among crypto executives, many of whom are now rallying behind her as the ideal candidate to lead the SEC into Trump’s second term.
Crypto’s $130 million influence
Crypto companies poured over $130 million into Trump’s campaign and other Republican candidates. The industry is tired of Gensler’s “regulation by enforcement” tactics and wants someone who can bring a more balanced approach to the SEC.
As we reported before, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has taken things a step further by meeting privately with Trump to discuss key appointments. With billions of dollars and the future of blockchain innovation on the line, having someone like Guillén in charge could change everything.
But Trump isn’t exactly short on options. Alongside Guillén, the shortlist includes former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins, Robinhood Chief Legal Officer Dan Gallagher, and Brian Brooks, who served as acting Comptroller of the Currency under Trump.
Gensler, meanwhile, is practically packing his bags. He’s been referring to his job in the past tense, a clear sign that he knows his days are numbered, and has accepted it.
SEC chairs traditionally step down during a presidential transition, and with Trump openly declaring he’d fire Gensler on day one, the writing is on the wall. It’d be embarrassing to hold on.
Guillén’s career and reputation
Guillén’s resume admittedly reads like a blueprint for someone who could lead the SEC. She started as an attorney in the SEC’s Office of the General Counsel from 2009 to 2011. During that time, she worked under Mary Shapiro, the agency’s first-ever female chair.
Later, she joined Kalorama Partners, where she worked closely with former SEC Chair Harvey Pitt, advising clients facing SEC enforcement actions. “She’s tough as hell,” one peer reportedly said.
The SEC is one of the most powerful regulatory agencies in the country, and its approach to crypto will have far-reaching implications for the industry and the economy as a whole.
Trump’s transition team isn’t wasting any time. Led by Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, the team is pushing to announce Gensler’s replacement before Thanksgiving.
Lutnick himself has been tapped as commerce secretary, while the race for treasury secretary is heating up with names like Scott Bessent, Mark Rowan, and Kevin Warsh in the mix.
Trump’s other appointments have been equally bold — and controversial. He’s named U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general, despite the ongoing sex trafficking allegations against him.
Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth has been tapped for defense secretary, while Tulsi Gabbard is set to become director of national intelligence.
Mark Uyeda dismisses rumors that he was Trump’s pick
Earlier in the week, rumors spread that perhaps SEC commissioner Mark Uyeda was Trump’s pick to replace Gensler. During a Bloomberg Intelligence event, he pointed out that Gensler’s aggressive rule-making and enforcement strategies had done more harm than good.
He didn’t confirm or deny rumors about his potential role as acting or permanent SEC chair, but did say he believes the Trump’s administration would take a completely different approach.
He called out the rushed timelines for public comment on new rules, which he argued silenced meaningful input. Uyeda also criticized Gensler’s push for costly and ineffective regulations, like the ones on climate disclosures. “What kills folks is [rules] that are not effective but costly,” he added.
He also addressed the SEC’s rocky relationship with the crypto industry and other financial players. Gensler’s tenure has been packed with lawsuits and public disputes, most of which, according to Uyeda, could have been avoided with better communication.
“The frustrating part from my perspective is a number of them could have been avoided by engaging,” he said. Uyeda served as a senior advisor to former SEC Chair Jay Clayton during Trump’s first term, a time when enforcement actions were more measured and less combative.
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