Soon-to-be President Donald Trump is considering Teresa Goody Guillén, an experienced Securities attorney with a strong background in traditional finance and blockchain regulation, as a potential candidate to head the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
If elected, his appointment could mark a significant shift in the agency’s regulatory stance compared to the current ‘anti-crypto’ approach under Gary Gensler.
The Trump administration has expressed its intention to move away from what it calls “regulation by enforcement” in the cryptocurrency space. Trump promised during his campaign to fire Gensler on his first day in office, and reports indicate that Gensler is already preparing to resign before Trump takes office for a second term on January 20.
Trump’s team is said to be looking for someone with knowledge of digital assets and who could soften the SEC’s stance on harsh crypto regulations until Congress provides more definitive legislative direction. Blockchain and finance moguls see Goody Guillén as a perfect fit for this vision. Supporters point to his solid grasp of security law and thoughtful approach to regulations. Guillén’s unique experience in the industry and his advocacy for blockchain companies has earned him significant support from both crypto leaders and traditional financial executives.
Goody Guillén is a partner at BakerHostetler and co-heads the company’s blockchain division. He worked as general counsel at the SEC office from 2009 to 2011, according to LinkedIn. He later collaborated with former SEC Chairman Harvey Pitt to provide counsel on enforcement matters.
This combination of insider knowledge and advocacy against the SEC’s enforcement actions made him an ideal candidate for the position, especially after Trump’s team sought a pro-crypto regulator to revamp the SEC. Brendan Playford, co-founder of decentralized data provider Masa, called it an “instant changemaker” with the potential to restructure the financial sector.
Goody Guillén is one of a large group of competitive candidates for the position of SEC Chairman; These include important names such as Robert Stebbins from Willkie Farr & Gallagher, Brad Bondi from Paul Hastings, former SEC commissioner Paul Atkins and Brain Brooks, who previously served in this role. Acting Controller of the Currency.
The Trump transition team is moving quickly this time and plans to announce the new SEC chairman before Thanksgiving, CoinDesk reports. This urgency highlights the administration’s focus on rapidly changing financial regulations. If Goody Guillén He is appointed, his leadership could lead to significant changes in the way the SEC handles crypto regulations. With the Trump administration already making some bold and controversial choices for Cabinet positions, many are keeping a close eye on this situation; because this could mean make or break for regulatory reforms in the next four years.