The current Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler, is expected to resign before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January, according to cryptocurrency journalist Eleanor Terrett.
In a recent statement, Terrett noted that speculation about Gensler’s departure has intensified, with sources in Washington, D.C., suggesting he could announce his resignation shortly after Thanksgiving. That would mark an early exit from the commissioner’s term amid shifting regulatory priorities following Trump’s election victory.
While Trump’s pick for SEC Chair remains unclear, several names have emerged as potential successors. Among them:
- Dan Gallagher: The former SEC commissioner and current Robinhood executive reportedly did not want to take on the role but remains a possibility.
- Bob Stebbins: Stebbins, former general counsel to former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton, is seen as a strong candidate and has been actively lobbying the Trump transition team for the Clayton nomination.
- Paul Atkins and Brad Bondi: Both are known for their pro-crypto stances. Atkins is a board member of the Digital Chamber of Commerce, co-chairing the organization’s Token Alliance and advising on token issuance and digital asset growth. Bondi, a partner at Paul Hastings, also supports lighter regulatory approaches to crypto.
The potential candidacies of Atkins and Bondi have garnered attention in the crypto space. Their views align with a more market-friendly regulatory framework that stands in sharp contrast to Gensler’s tenure, which was characterized by strict enforcement against crypto firms.
Terrett added that Chris Giancarlo, former chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and known as the “Crypto Dad” for his blockchain advocacy, has denied candidacy rumors, narrowing down the field of potential successors.
*This is not investment advice.