The former commissioner, known for his pro-digital asset positions, will head the watchdog agency until Paul Atkins is installed. Gary Gensler’s resignation has been officially announced.
On January 20, President Donald Trump appointed Mark Uyeda as interim Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). At the same time, the SEC announced the formal resignation of former Chairman Gary Gensler.
Uyeda will lead the authority until June 5, 2026, when Paul Atkins is set to take over as permanent chairman, should the Senate confirm his nomination. Trump also appointed Atkins as a member of the SEC, awaiting his future presidency.
The new interim chairman is known for his pro-digital asset stance, having repeatedly urged the watchdog to adopt a more proactive approach toward the industry. During an interview last October on Fox Business‘ “Mornings with Maria,” Uyeda criticized the SEC’s actions, highlighting how it had “created significant uncertainty, forced courts to intervene, and produced contradictory rulings.” He also pointed out the “growing frustration with the lack of guidance on what is allowed and how to comply with securities regulations.”
Last September, along with Commissioner Hester Peirce, Uyeda also criticized the SEC’s approach to NFTs, citing the case of the Flyfish Club collection, a project that raised $17.5 million by selling non-fungible tokens as exclusive access tickets to a future restaurant and bar. The two commissioners argued that these NFTs should be classified as utility tokens rather than securities.
Regarding Gensler’s resignation, Commissioners Uyeda, Peirce, and Caroline Crenshaw issued a joint statement praising the former chairman’s dedication and collaborative approach, particularly in managing political disagreements regarding the crypto industry. The commissioners stated:
“Chair Gensler has been committed to bipartisan engagement and a respectful exchange of ideas, which has helped facilitate our service to the American public.”
Gensler had announced his resignation on November 21, 2024, shortly after the U.S. elections. During his campaign, Trump had promised to remove the SEC chairman from his post on the first day of his term.
