The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has disbanded its dedicated crypto enforcement task force, replacing it with a smaller cyber unit tasked with overseeing risks across multiple technological sectors.
This restructuring was announced under Acting SEC Chairman Mark Uyeda on 20 February 2025.
The SEC announced “the creation of the Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit (CETU) to focus on combatting cyber-related misconduct and to protect retail investors from bad actors in the emerging technologies space.”
BREAKING:
🇺🇸 U.S. SEC IS LAUNCHING A CYBER
UNIT TO COMBAT FRAUD IN CRYPTO.CRIME IS NOT LEGAL !!! pic.twitter.com/Wwb8PuRYEY
— Ash Crypto (@Ashcryptoreal) February 20, 2025
Responsibility Shifts From ‘Crypto Mom’ To Laura D’Allaird
The CETU, led by Laura D’Allaird, replaces the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit and is comprised of approximately 30 fraud specialists and attorneys across multiple SEC offices.
Earlier, the dedicated cryptocurrency task force was to be headed by Commissioner Hester Peirce. Peirce has been known as “Crypto Mom” for her pro-crypto stance and her dissenting views on enforcement actions (specifically by Former Chain Gary Gensler) that she believed to be excessively harsh or ineffective.
However, D’Allaird’s appointment has been welcomed by Uyeda.
“Under Laura’s leadership, this new unit will complement the work of the Crypto Task Force led by Commissioner Hester Peirce. Importantly, the new unit will also allow the SEC to deploy enforcement resources judiciously,” said Uyeda.
“The unit will not only protect investors but will also facilitate capital formation and market efficiency by clearing the way for innovation to grow,” he added. “It will root out those seeking to misuse innovation to harm investors and diminish confidence in new technologies.”
Explore: Who Is Hester Peirce? ‘Crypto Mom’ Heads SEC’s New Crypto Task Force
Replacing 50-Member SEC Task Force
The SEC’s decision to replace its 50-member crypto enforcement task force with a downsized cyber unit of approximately 30 fraud experts and lawyers is part of a broader policy shift under the Trump administration.
Acting SEC Chairman Uyeda emphasized that the revamped unit not only aims to protect investors but also to foster innovation and market growth.
After Trump’s victory, SEC is reassessing its stance on cryptocurrency-related cases.
SEC staff have agreed to dismiss their case against us (pending Commission approval).
But this isn’t the end.
It’s the beginning.
And if there were ever a time to build—that time is now.Thank you to everyone who stood with us, and stood with crypto. pic.twitter.com/gjokUZPotz
— Coinbase 🛡️ (@coinbase) February 21, 2025
Under the tenure of Gensler, the agency pursued an aggressive enforcement strategy against cryptocurrency firms. However, the Trump administration has signaled a potential departure from this hardline approach.
83 enforcement actions were initiated, targeting major players like Coinbase, Binance, and Ripple Labs. These cases often revolved around allegations of securities law violations, such as selling unregistered tokens or failing to register platforms as exchanges.
SEC began a review of those court cases and potentially froze litigations that does not involve allegations of fraud.
Explore: Trump’s SEC Will Re-Examine 83 Crypto Cases, Can Dismiss Actions Without Fraud Allegations
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