President Donald Trump is set to name his pick for the next Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chair tomorrow, according to sources reported by FOX Business’ Eleanor Terrett.
This comes as Trump prepares to follow through on a campaign promise: firing Gary Gensler on day one of his presidency. Gensler, who has already announced his resignation effective January 20, leaves behind a stormy legacy shaped by his relentless crackdown on crypto and his aggressive regulatory agenda.
🚨NEW: @realDonaldTrump’s pick to replace @GaryGensler as @SECGov Chair could be announced as soon as tomorrow, sources tell @FoxBusiness. Stay tuned 📺.
— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) December 3, 2024
Former SEC commissioner Paul Atkins is among the potential candidates
Trump’s shortlist of candidates includes former Commissioner Paul Atkins, Robinhood’s Chief Legal Officer Dan Gallagher, Willkie Law Firm Partner Robert Stebbins, and current Securities and Exchange Commission Commissioner Mark Uyeda.
Whoever gets the nod will likely change how the commission approaches cryptocurrencies, financial markets, and corporate oversight.
Gensler’s leadership at the SEC was defined by lawsuits, regulatory scrutiny, and industry-wide frustration. The agency took on major players like Coinbase and Binance, accusing them of operating unregistered securities exchanges.
The fallout wasn’t just limited to crypto either. Wall Street executives and industry leaders clashed with Gensler over his push for transparency and tighter rules.
His leadership style (viewed as micromanaging and rigid) earned him enemies within his own agency too. High attrition rates among SEC staff were frequently attributed to his methods. Critics, including some members of Congress, called him “heavy-handed” and “out of touch.” Yikes!
Trump has wasted no time distancing himself from Gensler’s playbook. The president has repeatedly shared his desire to create a pro-crypto environment. “We’re firing the bureaucrats who stifle innovation,” he said at a rally a few months ago.
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