In remarks delivered yesterday, Gensler praised his colleagues for their dedication to protecting American investors but used notably retrospective language about his role: “I’ve been proud to serve.” His comments come as speculation about his future grows, following President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign promise to dismiss him on “day one.”
Although Gensler has not officially announced his resignation, industry observers note that SEC chairs often step down when a new administration takes office. This pattern, seen under both Obama and Biden, may repeat in 2025.
A Controversial Legacy
During his three years at the SEC, Gensler became a polarizing figure in the cryptocurrency sector. Highlighting the agency’s enforcement against Ripple, Coinbase, and Uniswap, he reiterated his view that most cryptocurrencies are unregistered securities.
“This is a field with significant investor harm,” Gensler stated, pointing to speculative behavior and the lack of proven use cases in the crypto space.
However, his tenure has drawn criticism, including a recent lawsuit filed by 18 Republican-led states accusing the SEC of exceeding its authority.
Who Could Succeed Gensler?
Names floated for his potential replacement include Robinhood’s Chief Legal Officer Dan Gallagher and SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, often dubbed “Crypto Mom” for her pro-crypto stance.
With Gensler’s term officially ending in 2026, it remains unclear whether Trump’s administration will find a path to oust him sooner.
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