SEC Appoints Crypto Veteran Jamie Selway as Head of Trading & Markets in Signal Shift for Digital Assets

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has named Jamie Selway—a seasoned crypto industry insider—as its new director of the Division of Trading and Markets, marking a pivotal shift in how Wall Street’s chief regulator engages with digital assets. This appointment underscores the SEC’s growing focus on market innovation and signals a significant policy pivot for the agency.

Jamie Selway: Bridging Wall Street and Crypto Expertise

Jamie Selway brings a rare blend of crypto-native knowledge and traditional finance experience to his new SEC role. Selway’s professional journey includes leadership at Blockchain.com and Skew, a crypto analytics startup owned by Coinbase, along with prior posts at global powerhouse Goldman Sachs and AI-driven financial firm Gradient. His dual command of legacy financial systems and digital asset infrastructures puts him at the forefront of the SEC’s renewed emphasis on technological innovation.

SEC’s Leadership Embraces Digital Asset Innovation

SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins praised Selway’s appointment, highlighting his extensive background across market structures and asset classes as critical for shaping future regulatory policies. Selway, in turn, expressed commitment to bolstering the SEC’s mission while fostering an innovation-driven marketplace for investors. His arrival coincides with the SEC’s broader initiative to bring digital asset expertise into the agency’s upper ranks.

Key Stats & Figures

• New Trading & Markets Division Director: Jamie Selway, a former executive at Blockchain.com and Skew, takes the SEC helm.
• Wall Street and Crypto Background: Selway’s resume includes Goldman Sachs, Silvertrain AI, and the crypto analytics sphere.
• Broader SEC Appointments: Brian T. Daly, a known commentator and author on crypto regulation, will now lead the SEC’s Division of Investment Management.
• Crypto Regulatory Focus: Nearly all SEC lawsuits against crypto firms have been dismissed since President Trump’s return to office.

Policy Reversal: The SEC’s New Stance on Crypto Regulation

This leadership shakeup reflects a major regulatory course correction for the SEC. Under former Chair Gary Gensler during the Biden administration, the SEC aggressively targeted high-profile U.S. crypto firms, branding most digital tokens as securities. The Trump administration has instead emphasized encouraging industry growth and rolling back enforcement actions, including establishing a “crypto task force” and integrating digital asset specialists into its staff lineup.

Conclusion: What This Means for the Market

By bringing crypto-fluent executives like Jamie Selway and Brian T. Daly into leadership positions, the SEC is making a clear statement: digital assets are becoming central to market oversight and regulatory dialogue. As lawsuits subside and innovation is championed, the agency’s evolving approach could reshape the U.S. digital asset landscape—paving the way for a more innovation-friendly era for blockchain, investors, and the broader market.