The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has appointed Jorge Tenreiro as its new chief litigation counsel, a move that comes just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Tenreiro, formerly the acting chief of the SEC’s crypto and cyber unit, will now oversee enforcement lawsuits and investigations nationwide. His new position marks an important shift in the agency’s leadership at a critical time for the crypto industry.
New SEC Leadership for the Crypto Unit
This transition follows the departure of former SEC litigation chief Olivia Choe, who left the agency in July for a private sector role at Milbank LLP. Tenreiro’s tenure in the SEC’s crypto assets unit has been marked by high-profile cases, including lawsuits against major players like Kraken, Coinbase, Tron, and Ripple Labs. His team also led enforcement actions against FTX and Terraform Labs, with the latter resulting in a record $4.47 billion settlement earlier this year.
Simultaneously, the SEC’s crypto and cyber unit has undergone its own leadership changes. Mark Sylvester and Laura D’Allaird have been named co-chiefs of the unit, succeeding Tenreiro in overseeing its crypto-related enforcement actions. Both have extensive experience within the SEC, with D’Allaird previously serving as counsel to outgoing Commissioner Jaime Lizárraga and Sylvester as the assistant director of the crypto unit.
These appointments reflect a continued focus on cryptocurrency regulation, even as the incoming administration signals a potential easing of regulatory scrutiny. President-elect Trump’s pro-crypto stance and plans to reform the SEC’s approach could reshape the agency’s enforcement priorities. However, Tenreiro’s leadership suggests the agency may continue its aggressive stance on crypto-related violations until any policy changes are formally enacted.
Controversy and Criticism Follow Tenreiro
The recent leadership change has not been without controversy. Crypto lawyer John Deaton recently criticized him, calling him one of the least desirable lawyers for the crypto industry to hire if he ever leaves the SEC. The criticism highlights tensions between the agency and the crypto community, which has often accused the SEC of overreach and inconsistent regulation.
As the Trump administration prepares to take office, the SEC’s reshuffled leadership faces a critical moment in shaping the future of cryptocurrency regulation. Whether Tenreiro’s tenure as chief litigation counsel marks continuity or change remains to be seen, but his history suggests a firm commitment to robust enforcement.
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