Will SEC Have No Democratic Commissioners With The New Administration?

US President Elect- Donald Trump will have the opportunity to fill two vacant seats at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): one previously held by Caroline Crenshaw and another by Commissioner Jaime Lizárraga (Democrat). 

This reshuffling could result in a Republican-majority SEC that is more aligned with Trump’s campaign promise to make America “the crypto capital of the planet.”

Explore: SEC Reappointment Of Caroline Crenshaw Canceled By Senate Banking Committee

Implications For SEC Leadership

The SEC is on the brink of a significant political and ideological transformation. The crypto industry’s successful lobbying efforts to block the renomination of Democratic Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw is proof!

The move, which effectively ends her tenure, underscores the growing influence of crypto advocacy groups in shaping regulatory policy.  

Chair Gary Gensler has announced his resignation effective 20 January 20 2025, coinciding with Trump’s inauguration. Gensler’s departure leaves a leadership vacuum that Trump is expected to fill with nominees more favorable to the crypto industry.

Trump already announced his intention to nominate Paul Atkins. He is a former SEC commissioner known for his pro-crypto stance, as Gensler’s successor. 

Atkins has criticized the SEC’s reliance on enforcement actions rather than clear regulatory guidelines for digital assets. 

BREAKING: Trump appoints pro-crypto Paul Atkins as new chair of the SEC.

Low Cap Memecoins 1000x pic.twitter.com/RYQmd9P74C

— Mr. BIG WHALE (@MrBigWhaleREAL) December 3, 2024

If confirmed, he is expected to adopt a more collaborative approach toward the crypto sector. He will apparently focus on fostering innovation while ensuring investor protection.

In addition to Atkins’ nomination, Trump will have the opportunity to fill two other vacant seats at the SEC. One previously held by Crenshaw and another by Lizárraga, who also announced his resignation ahead of Trump taking office.

The incoming Trump administration is expected to chart a different course.

Republican commissioners such as Hester Peirce and Mark Uyeda have long advocated for clearer regulatory frameworks tailored specifically to digital assets rather than applying traditional securities laws designed for legacy financial markets.

Crenshaw Was A Staunch Supported Of Gensler 

The Senate Banking Committee cancelled a planned vote on the reappointment of Crenshaw as a commissioner for the SEC.

Originally scheduled for 18 December 2024, the markup session was also set to address the nomination of Gordon Ito to the Financial Stability Oversight Council. However, both votes were abruptly shelved, according to a 17 December 2024 announcement.

The cancellation casts doubt on Crenshaw’s chances of securing a second term at the SEC before Republicans assume control of the Senate in this month.

Crenshaw, a Democrat appointed to the SEC in 2020 and later renominated by President Joe Biden, has been a staunch supporter of Gensler’s aggressive regulatory approach toward crypto. 

Her record includes opposition to spot Bitcoin ETFs and repeated warnings about fraud and manipulation within crypto markets. These positions made her a target for crypto industry groups. The groups saw her as emblematic of what they see as excessive regulatory overreach. 

Crypto advocacy organizations such as the Blockchain Association, DeFi Education Fund, and Cedar Innovation Foundation advocated for the cancellation of the vote. 

EXPLORE: Detroit To Accept Crypto For Taxes And Fees In Bid To Attract Blockchain Firms

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