SEC crypto chief David Hirsch resigns, community reacts

  • SEC’s enforcement chief David Hirsch’s resignation attracted divergent reactions
  • A market commentator viewed the departure as a signal to change the SEC’s power in the sector. 

As an experienced financial analyst, I believe Hirsch’s departure from the SEC may indeed mark a turning point in the regulatory landscape for crypto assets. The reactions in the community are varied, with some expressing relief and others skepticism.


The head of cryptocurrency enforcement at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has stepped down, sparking intense responses within the industry.

Penning his resignation on LinkedIn, the executive noted, 

Last Friday marked my departure from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), where I had spent nearly nine rewarding years. Throughout this tenure, I was granted the privilege to tackle intricate investigations and pressing issues that far surpassed my expectations when I initially joined as a staff attorney in the Fort Worth Regional Office.

Based on his LinkedIn profile, Hirsch served as the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s Enforcement Division’s Cryptographic Assets and Cyber Unit.

As a researcher studying the crypto market, I’ve noticed that with over 10 years of experience at the relevant regulatory agency, this individual is widely believed to have played a role in every past and present crypto enforcement case.

Crypto community reactions

Viktor Bunin, a protocol specialist at Coinbase, cautioned against inviting Hirsch into the industry due to his previous conduct within the community.

“The SEC’s top brass and cryptocurrency regulatory team have consistently acted without moral compass, disregarded fair treatment and legal protocols, and demonstrated an unwavering inclination towards making unfavorable decisions. It is crucial that we do not encourage or condone such actions.”

As a Solana investor, I’ve been keeping an eye on the memecoin scene on the Solana blockchain through its launch platform, pump.fun. Recently, things got more interesting than usual when the co-founder of the project, Hirsch, announced his resignation from the team. This unexpected move added a new layer of intrigue and speculation to the already entertaining world of memecoins on Solana.

The platform playfully asserted that they had recruited the regulatory body’s top personnel. A portion of their declaration indicated this.

David acknowledged that his role as a regulator no longer brought him satisfaction. It was time for him to move on and begin a fresh journey…As a connoisseur of internet humor, David has been appointed to manage Pump Dot Fun’s internal trading desk.

However, the statement was meant for entertainment purposes and, to an extent, to farm engagement. 

Despite this, David Hirsch has yet to sign up for pump.fun, and refuted the platform’s declaration on LinkedIn as untrue.

“The claim by Pump.fun is false.’

As a crypto market analyst, I, Paul Barron, interpreted my resignation from my role at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a possible indicator of shifting regulatory dynamics within the sector. With increasing clarification on cryptocurrency regulations, I believe that the SEC’s influence may be evolving.

As a researcher exploring the future of digital assets, I strongly believe that regulatory frameworks will come into play. This is crucial because regulation will help transfer control over these assets from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and similar bodies to more appropriate authorities or institutions.

The recently passed FIT21 Act in the U.S. House of Representatives may limit some of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s authority over cryptocurrencies as part of the infrastructure bill.

The CFTC (Commodity and Futures Trading Commission) would be granted significant authority in overseeing the crypto market under this proposal.

It’s more accurate to say: “Hirsh’s resignation from the SEC doesn’t necessarily signal an end to the agency’s crackdown on crypto. The identity of his successor, yet to be disclosed, may provide a clearer indication.”

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2024-06-18 15:04