On November 22, SEC Chair Gary Gensler announced his resignation effective January 20. Gensler, known for his anti-crypto stance, faced criticism from crypto users during his tenure, marked by high-profile lawsuits against platforms such as Coinbase and Uniswap. His departure is met with celebrations from crypto enthusiasts. President-elect Donald Trump has yet to announce Gensler's replacement, with speculation including possible nominees like Summer Mersinger, who advocates for regulatory clarity without heavy-handed lawsuits. Former Binance US CEO Brian Brooks and ex-SEC commissioner Paul Atkins are also among leading candidates. However, any nominee will likely face rigorous scrutiny in the Senate, particularly if perceived as lenient towards crypto regulations. Trump has mentioned using recess appointments to bypass confirmation challenges, although skepticism exists amongst party members regarding his nominee's strength. Even with a pro-crypto chair, existing lawsuits may not be withdrawn swiftly, as the SEC may prefer to settle rather than appear politically motivated, suggesting prolonged uncertainty for the crypto landscape following Gensler's exit.

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