SEC Official Departs Amid Shift to New Administration

The SEC’s Last Major Legal Official Exits Ahead of Trump Era

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has lost its top lawyer, General Counsel Megan Barbero, who will step away next week. This departure marks the end of an era for the agency, as most of its top officials are leaving on the eve of President-elect Donald Trump‘s return to government.

A Clean Slate for Trump’s SEC

The exit door is now open at the SEC, with no holdovers among the senior legal officials to contend with. This means that Trump’s newly appointed SEC leadership will have a fresh start, free from any previous decisions or policies. The departure of General Counsel Barbero is particularly significant, as she was responsible for advising on the agency’s enforcement posture and conducting disputes with crypto businesses in federal courts.

Key Departures at the SEC

The exodus of top officials at the SEC includes:

• General Counsel Megan Barbero, who will step away next week

• The SEC’s enforcement chief, Gurbir Grewal, left in October

• Paul Munter, the accounting head behind the agency’s controversial crypto accounting policy, announced his pending departure this week

These departures come as President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office for a second term. The new leadership will have the opportunity to shape the SEC’s policies and direction, potentially leading to changes in how the agency approaches crypto regulation.

A New Era for Crypto Regulation

The SEC’s recent clashes with the crypto industry have been well-documented. With the departure of key officials, there is now an opportunity for a fresh start and new perspectives on crypto regulation. The question remains: what will Trump’s SEC look like, and how will it approach the complex issues surrounding crypto?