Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced his resignation effective December 13. Appointed by President Joe Biden in 2021, Williams has led high-profile cases, including the prosecution of former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried. Following his departure, Deputy US Attorney Edward Y. Kim will serve as interim head until the Senate confirms a successor. President-elect Donald Trump intends to nominate Jay Clayton, the former SEC Chair, to replace Williams. Clayton's previous experience with Wall Street firms, including Goldman Sachs, raises questions about the future direction of crypto enforcement under his leadership. Notably, the Southern District has been pivotal in key financial cases, like the OneCoin scheme. As such, the new US Attorney could significantly influence how crypto-related criminal cases are prosecuted. Furthermore, former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky faces trial beginning January 28, further complicating the transitional period for crypto enforcement in New York.

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