Original title: Trump Said to Consider Crypto Lawyer Teresa Goody Guillén to Lead SEC
Original article by Christine Lee, CoinDesk
Original translation: Ismay, BlockBeats
Editors note: As the transition process of Trumps new term accelerates, the selection of SEC chairman has attracted much attention. Among them, Teresa Goody Guillén has become a popular candidate due to her rich experience in traditional securities law and cryptocurrency. This time, the Trump team has shown great attention to supporting business and the crypto industry, and has put forward a vision to reform the current regulatory model. This article deeply analyzes Goody Guilléns background and her potential role in this reform, and sorts out the latest nomination dynamics for other key positions, presenting readers with the regulatory direction and policy direction of Trumps second term.
Goody Guillén is widely considered the top candidate for SEC chairman
Goody Guillén is a partner at BakerHostetler and co-leader of the firm’s blockchain practice. Cryptocurrency companies have privately supported her as SEC chair, citing her experience at the agency and her extensive track record of representing both blockchain companies and traditional Wall Street firms in battles with the agency.
“Of all the candidates being discussed, she is the best candidate,” said Brendan Playford, co-founder of Masa, a token-driven company that provides decentralized data services to artificial intelligence companies. Playford also mentioned that Goody Guillén will bring immediate changes to the SEC.”
Playford: Goody Guillén will bring disruptive changes to the crypto industry
“She has a clear understanding of the law and how the SEC operates,” Playford said. “We are getting a leader who can bring immediate change and is a strong supporter of cryptocurrency, which will completely change the industry landscape.”
Goody Guillén declined to comment. Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump transition team, did not respond to a request for comment.
After the cryptocurrency industry invested more than $130 million in campaign support for Trump and other Republican candidates, crypto industry figures have gained attention from Trumps team during the selection process. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong reportedly met with Trump privately to discuss personnel appointments.
Goody Guillén joins tight race for SEC chairman
Goody Guillén has become one of the candidates expected to succeed current SEC Chairman Gary Gensler. It is reported that Gensler has begun referring to his position in the past tense last week and is expected to step down before Trump officially takes office on January 20. According to convention, the chairman of the SEC usually resigns during the transition period of the new government. During the campaign, Trump promised to fire Gensler on the first day of his presidency.
Other candidates for SEC chairman reportedly include: Robert Stebbins, partner at Willkie Farr Gallagher LLP, Brad Bondi, partner at Paul Hastings law firm, former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins, Robinhood Chief Legal Officer Dan Gallagher, and former Acting Comptroller of the Currency Brian Brooks.
Tough as Iron - Teresa Goody Guilléns SEC Journey
According to her LinkedIn page, Teresa Goody Guillén worked as a lawyer in the SECs Office of General Counsel from 2009 to 2011, when Mary Shapiro became the SECs first female chair.
Subsequently, as COO and Managing Director of Kalorama Partners, Goody Guillén worked with former SEC Chairman Harvey Pitt to advise clients on SEC enforcement cases.
The Trump transition team plans to overhaul the SEC, seeking a pro-business, non-bureaucratic leader, undo the agencys expanded functions during Genslers tenure and end the practice of regulating through enforcement actions, according to three people familiar with the matter.
In the cryptocurrency space, the Trump team is looking for a leader who understands the industry and is cautious about applying securities laws to digital assets until Congress passes clear legislation. Goody Guillén’s peers believe she fully embodies those principles, these people also said.
Shes low-key...but shes tough as iron, said Charley Cooper, senior adviser at digital asset solutions provider R3 and former chief operating officer of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). She will govern based on a deep understanding of securities law in traditional markets and crypto, and will significantly reduce the previous administrations reliance on enforcement regulation and arbitrary interpretation of laws written 90 years ago.
Nicole Trudeau, general counsel at investment firm Wave Digital Assets, has worked with Goody Guillén on multiple crypto-related bankruptcies and SEC receiverships.
“Teresa is a true pioneer in the crypto space and has the expertise and vision needed to lead the SEC and drive growth in the U.S. cryptocurrency and capital markets,” Trudeau said. “She fully embodies President Trump’s vision for this space.”
Act fast
People familiar with the matter in Washington revealed that compared with Trumps first term, the candidate selection process this time was faster and more orderly, and the SEC chairman is expected to be determined before Thanksgiving.
Trump has named Howard Lutnick, co-chair of his transition team and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, as Secretary of Commerce. Lutnick had previously been actively pursuing the position of Treasury Secretary, but the current favorites for this position include Key Square Group founder Scott Bessent, Apollo Global Management CEO Mark Rowan and former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh.
Trump has announced several high-profile and controversial nominations, including Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., for attorney general, but he is expected to face strong opposition in Congress because of allegations of sex trafficking.
Additionally, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth was nominated as defense secretary, former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard was nominated as director of national intelligence, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was nominated as health and human services secretary.
