SEC General Counsel Megan Barbero To Depart Amid Leadership Changes

According to CoinDesk, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to experience another significant leadership change as General Counsel Megan Barbero prepares to leave her position next week. Barbero's departure marks the continuation of a trend where top officials responsible for the SEC's legal strategies against the cryptocurrency industry have been exiting the agency. Her exit is scheduled for January 20, coinciding with the departure of SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who has been a key figure in shaping the agency's approach to crypto regulation. Gensler's exit aligns with the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump for a second term. Barbero has been a pivotal figure at the SEC, overseeing the legal department's handling of disputes with cryptocurrency businesses in federal courts and advising on enforcement strategies. She has held the position of general counsel since February 2023, playing a crucial role in the agency's legal battles. Her departure follows that of other high-profile SEC officials, including Enforcement Chief Gurbir Grewal, who left in October, and Paul Munter, the accounting head known for his involvement in the agency's controversial crypto accounting policy, who also announced his impending departure this week. These changes signal a potential shift in the SEC's approach to cryptocurrency regulation as new leadership takes the helm.