On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump appointed Republican SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda as acting chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Uyeda, currently serving his second term at the SEC, will lead the agency until Trump’s primary nominee, Paul Atkins, is confirmed by the Senate.
According to reports , Uyeda’s appointment came after fellow GOP Commissioner Hester Peirce declined the interim role despite being a strong contender for the permanent position due to her pro-crypto reputation.
Trump’s decision aligns with his campaign promise to dismantle what he calls the SEC’s “unfair enforcement overreach” implemented during Gensler’s tenure.
Uyeda’s appointment has garnered support from political allies, who praise his extensive experience within the agency.
Uyeda’s tenure has been marked by his outspoken opposition to the SEC’s aggressive stance on crypto firms.
Under Gensler’s leadership, the agency filed over 100 legal actions against crypto entities, a trend Uyeda and Peirce have consistently challenged. The crypto community now hopes for a more balanced approach under Uyeda’s leadership.
Before joining the SEC, Uyeda served as a top advisor to California’s securities regulator under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and worked on the Senate Banking Committee for former U.S. Senator Pat Toomey.
Uyeda’s pro-crypto credentials are further underscored by his criticism of the SEC’s staff accounting bulletin, SAB 121, which restricts banks from offering digital asset custody.
This guideline, a hallmark of Gensler’s administration, has faced significant backlash from the crypto industry.
In a recent interview, Uyeda said , “SAB 121 bypasses judicial review and undermines our system of checks and balances. It should be withdrawn.”
His consistent opposition to stringent enforcement measures, including a notable disagreement over a settlement involving a blank-check firm tied to Trump’s media company, signals a potential shift in how the SEC will approach regulatory oversight moving forward.