SEC Key Project Director to Depart at Year-End; Continuation of Crypto Regulatory Policies Becomes Focus

AirdropHuntress · 2026-01-26T12:21:11+00:00

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) undergoes senior personnel changes, with Cicely LaMothe departing after 20 years, marking the end of her tenure and a shift in cryptocurrency asset regulation policy. In 2024, the SEC will implement new approval standards for innovative crypto asset ETFs and adjust its enforcement stance towards crypto companies, aiming to strike a balance between market innovation and investor protection. These series of changes indicate internal mechanism optimization within the SEC, and the future performance of regulators will influence the development of the crypto industry.

AirdropHuntress

2026-01-26 12:21:11

Abstract generation in progress

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) welcomes a personnel change at the senior management level at the end of the year. At the end of December, Cicely LaMothe, the project director of the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance, officially stepped down. As a senior executive who has served at the SEC for over 20 years, she has driven several important regulatory policies on digital assets over the past year, laying the foundation for the SEC’s policy shift.

Why the Deputy Director Steering SEC Cryptocurrency Policy Is Leaving at Year-End

Since joining the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance in 2002, Cicely LaMothe has accumulated extensive experience in financial regulation. Her background in the private sector and her CPA qualification have endowed her with strong professional expertise. Her departure is quite symbolic—happening at a time when the SEC’s regulatory stance has clearly shifted toward a more friendly approach. Among her policy initiatives are clarifying that meme coins do not fall under securities and outlining the SEC’s stance on staking regulation. These policies have cleared obstacles for subsequent industry development.

Practical Results of the SEC’s Shift in Cryptocurrency Policy

Starting in 2024, the SEC’s regulatory direction has shown significant adjustments. Driven by project directors like LaMothe, the SEC has implemented new approval standards for crypto ETFs, launched “cryptocurrency projects” to update digital asset regulatory rules, and adjusted enforcement positions against several well-known crypto companies, rescinding previous related cases. These policy changes indicate that the SEC is attempting to balance market innovation with investor protection.

Enforcement Department Adjustments and New Challenges for the Regulatory System

Meanwhile, the SEC’s enforcement department has also experienced personnel updates. Nekia Hackworth Jones, the project director for the Southeast region of the enforcement division, also completed her term at the end of December. These high-level personnel adjustments suggest that the SEC may be undergoing broader mechanism optimization internally. Whether the new generation of regulators can continue the current policy tone will directly impact the long-term development path of the crypto industry.

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