On Thursday, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler announced that he would step down on January 20, coinciding with President-elect Trump's inauguration, marking the conclusion of his tumultuous tenure. Since taking office in April 2021, Gensler has been at odds with industry groups, pushing for aggressive rule-making and enforcement actions that often clashed with the companies he was tasked with overseeing.

Appointed by President Joe Biden, Gensler's departure follows the tradition of agency heads stepping down after the election of a president from the opposing party. A former Goldman Sachs banker, Gensler reinvented himself as a progressive reformer after the 2008 financial crisis, playing a key role in enacting the Dodd-Frank Act. As SEC chair, he sought a high-profile role, frequently appearing on TV and engaging in public disputes, particularly with the crypto industry.

In his resignation announcement, Gensler praised the SEC, calling it a remarkable agency and expressing pride in his service on behalf of everyday Americans. Under his leadership, the SEC pursued progressive goals, including controversial proposals requiring financial firms to disclose climate-related information. However, these measures were weakened following significant industry pushback. The agency also faced numerous lawsuits from various sectors, including crypto, hedge funds, and private equity firms, over its rule-making approach.

Gensler’s tenure was marked by criticism from SEC commissioners such as Hester Peirce and Mark Uyeda, who criticized his lack of engagement with industry groups and his tough stance on emerging sectors like decentralized finance and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Former staffers also expressed frustration with his aggressive approach, leading to increased attrition during his first year in office.

Perhaps his most visible and contentious initiative was his public feud with the crypto industry. Gensler’s SEC ramped up enforcement following the collapse of FTX in November 2022, suing major crypto firms like Coinbase and Binance and accusing the industry of widespread fraud and noncompliance. His approach contrasts with that of his predecessor, Jay Clayton, who began legal action against blockchain firms but did not pursue it as aggressively as Gensler.

Under Trump, the SEC’s approach is expected to shift, with Trump becoming a strong advocate for the crypto industry during his 2024 campaign. While he has yet to announce his SEC chair nominee, possible candidates include Robinhood’s chief legal officer, Dan Gallagher, and former SEC commissioner Paul Atkins. SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda, a Republican, has dismissed rumors that he might be n

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