SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce has announced the complete makeup of the newly formed crypto task force, aimed at distinguishing securities from non-securities, facilitating registration for crypto assets and market intermediaries, and optimizing the allocation of enforcement resources.
Core Team of the Task Force
The task force was announced by Acting SEC Chairman Mark Uyeda on January 21. Hester Peirce, known for her positive stance on cryptocurrencies, was named as the head. Richard Gabbert was appointed as chief of staff and Taylor Asher as chief policy adviser. The task force includes 15 members, with staff from the Acting Chairman's office and other SEC divisions. Gabbert and Asher are senior advisers to Uyeda.
Veteran Crypto Defenders
Senior adviser Landon Zinda previously worked at Coin Center as policy counsel. In 2022, Coin Center filed a lawsuit against the Treasury Department and OFAC. Zinda provided support for other lawsuits against the IRS and the Justice Department. Chris Rice is a senior adviser in the SEC Division of Investment Management since 2023 after working in major financial institutions.
New Policies Before the Task Force
Mark Uyeda has been on the SEC staff since 2006 and a commissioner since 2022. U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Paul Atkin as the chair of the SEC. Recently, Uyeda has initiated changes as acting chair, including dropping cases against several crypto companies and rescinding burdensome accounting rules.
The formation of the crypto task force in the SEC marks a step towards redirecting the agency's focus to a more constructive and balanced approach to the cryptocurrency sector, indicating a new course for regulation and engagement.
