Gary Gensler, the current Chairman of the SEC, taught a course on blockchain and cryptocurrencies at MIT before joining the SEC.
Gensler is known for his tough stance on cryptocurrencies and has called for more regulation of the industry.
Gensler has expressed support for a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the US, citing concerns about the dominance of China's digital yuan.
Before joining the SEC, Gensler worked at Goldman Sachs, where he rose to become co-head of finance.
Gensler has suggested that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum may be considered securities and therefore subject to SEC regulation.
In his role as SEC Chairman, Gensler has launched a review of the cryptocurrency landscape, with a particular focus on decentralized finance (DeFi).
Gensler has said that he believes cryptocurrency exchanges should be regulated in a similar way to traditional stock exchanges.
Gensler has also suggested that stablecoins, which are pegged to the value of a real-world asset like the US dollar, may also be subject to SEC regulation.
Gensler has expressed concern about the potential for cryptocurrency to be used for illegal activities such as money laundering and terrorist financing.
Gensler has called for more international cooperation on cryptocurrency regulation, arguing that a coordinated approach is needed to address the global nature of the industry.