According to Coindesk, President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering Teresa Goody Guillén, a seasoned lawyer with extensive experience in cryptocurrency and securities law, to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Goody Guillén, a partner at BakerHostetler and co-lead of its blockchain practice, has emerged as a prominent contender for the position, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Cryptocurrency companies are actively advocating for Goody Guillén’s appointment, citing her deep understanding of both the SEC’s inner workings and the complexities of the blockchain industry. She has previously represented both traditional Wall Street firms and blockchain companies in cases against the SEC.
Brendan Playford, co-founder of Masa, a token-powered decentralized data provider, expressed strong support for Goody Guillén, calling her “the best candidate” and praising her potential to bring immediate and transformative change to the SEC. He emphasized her knowledge of securities laws and her pro-crypto stance, which he believes would significantly benefit the industry.
Goody Guillén declined to comment on the reports, and a request for comment from the Trump transition team went unanswered.
The cryptocurrency industry played a significant role in the recent election cycle, spending over $130 million on Republican campaigns, including Trump’s. This financial support has reportedly given crypto professionals some influence in the personnel selection process, with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong reportedly meeting privately with Trump to discuss appointments.
Goody Guillén joins a competitive shortlist of candidates vying to replace current SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who is expected to resign before Trump’s inauguration on January 20th. During his campaign, Trump pledged to “fire” Gensler on his first day in office.
Goody Guillén’s background includes a stint as an attorney for the SEC’s Office of the General Counsel from 2009 to 2011. She later worked with former SEC Chair Harvey Pitt at Kalorama Partners, advising clients on SEC enforcement cases.
The Trump transition team is reportedly seeking a pro-business leader to overhaul the SEC, unwind some of the expansions under Gensler’s tenure, and end the practice of “regulation by enforcement action.” Specifically regarding crypto, they are looking for someone with industry expertise who will exercise restraint in applying securities laws to digital assets until Congress passes clear legislation.
Nicole Trudeau, general counsel for Wave Digital Assets, praised Goody Guillén’s expertise and vision, describing her as a “true trailblazer” in the crypto space. Trudeau believes Goody Guillén embodies Trump’s vision for the sector and possesses the qualities needed to lead the SEC effectively.
