SEC Announces New Executive Staff For Crypto Task Force

According to CoinDesk, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced the appointment of new executive staff members, including three individuals for its recently established Crypto Task Force. This announcement was made by the SEC's Acting Chairman Mark Uyeda on Tuesday. The task force includes two appointees from within the SEC. Richard Gabbert, who previously served as counsel to Commissioner Hester Pierce, will take on the role of chief of staff and senior advisor to Uyeda. Taylor Asher, formerly a senior policy advisor to Uyeda, will serve as the chief policy advisor for the task force. Additionally, Landon Zinda, who will be counsel to Uyeda and a senior advisor for the task force, joins from outside the SEC. Zinda previously held the position of policy director at Coin Center, a crypto think tank, and has experience working with crypto-friendly legislators, including Sen. Pat Toomey and Rep. Tom Emmer. The SEC's Crypto Task Force was formed last month, shortly after the resignation of former Chairman Gary Gensler. The task force aims to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto assets, collaborating with Congress, the crypto industry, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This initiative marks a shift in the SEC's approach to crypto regulation, moving away from the previous strategy of regulation by enforcement, which was prevalent during Gensler's tenure. The SEC acknowledged in a press statement that its past reliance on enforcement actions has led to confusion and a challenging environment for innovation. The agency emphasized the need for clarity on registration requirements and practical solutions for compliance, aiming to create a more transparent and supportive regulatory landscape for the crypto industry.