The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced key appointments as part of a strategic shift in crypto regulation. Jamie Selway has been named Director of Trading and Markets, and Brian T. Daly is appointed Director of Investment Management, effective mid-2025. Both bring significant expertise in cryptocurrency and fintech industries, with Selway having served as global head of institutional markets at Blockchain.com and Daly as a partner at a major law firm specializing in crypto-related matters.
This leadership change underscores the SEC’s commitment to adapting regulatory policies to better align with digital asset trends, aiming to enhance investor protection while fostering innovation. Chairman Paul Atkins has promoted these changes under an initiative to modernize crypto oversight mechanisms and build stronger market confidence.
The appointments come amid ongoing U.S. legislative discussions about clarifying the jurisdiction of the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) over digital assets, including the pending CLARITY Act. The SEC recently withdrew several proposed rules related to digital assets, reflecting a more measured regulatory approach. Market observers view these developments positively, expecting increased clarity to encourage institutional investment and improve liquidity in major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).
While these moves represent progress, the SEC and CFTC face staffing challenges with several vacant seats. Nonetheless, the specialized backgrounds of Selway and Daly are anticipated to lead to more effective and innovation-friendly regulatory frameworks, marking a new phase in the agency’s digital asset strategy.