Trump favors crypto lawyer and former SEC attorney Teresa Goody Guillén to head SEC

Soon-to-be President Donald Trump is looking at 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 chosen, her 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 coined as “regulation by enforcement” in the cryptocurrency space. During his campaign, Trump promised to fire Gensler on his first day in office, and reports suggest that Gensler is already getting ready to resign before Trump takes office, for a second time, on Jan 20. 

Trump’s team is said to be looking for someone who is knowledgeable about digital assets and can soften the SEC’s stance on harsh crypto regulations until Congress offers a more definitive legislative direction. The blockchain and finance moguls see Goody Guillén as a perfect fit for this vision. Her supporters point out her firm grasp of security law and thoughtful approach to regulation. Guillén’s unique blend of experience with the SEC and her advocacy of blockchain companies has earned her considerable backing from both crypto leaders and traditional finance executives. 

Goody Guillén is a partner at BakerHostetler, where she co-heads the firm’s blockchain division.  According to her LinkedIn, she worked in the SEC’s office as the general counsel from 2009 to 2011. She then collaborated with former SEC Chair Harvey Pitt to provide counsel on enforcement issues.  

This combination of insider knowledge and advocacy against the SEC’s enforcement actions has made her an ideal candidate for the position, especially in the wake of Trump’s team looking for a pro-crypto regulator to revamp the SEC. Brendan Playford, co-founder of the decentralized data provider Masa, referred to her as “an instant change-maker” who has the potential to restructure the finance industry. 

Goody Guillén is one of many competitive groups of candidates for the SEC Chair position, which also includes major figures like Robert Stebbins from Willkie Farr & Gallagher, Brad Bondi from Paul Hastings, former SEC commissioner Paul Atkins, and Brain Brooks, who previously served as Acting Controller of the Currency. 

The Trump transition team is moving quickly this time around, and it is planning to announce the new SEC chair before Thanksgiving, as reported by CoinDesk.  This urgency brings to light the administration’s focus on rapidly changing financial regulations. If Goody Guillén is appointed, her leadership could lead to significant shifts in how the SEC handles crypto regulations. With the Trump administration already making some bold and controversial picks for Cabinet positions, many are keeping a close eye, as this could mean a make-or-break for regulatory reforms in the next four years.