SEC Appoints Blockchain Expert Jamie Selway Director of Trading and Markets

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently announced significant changes to its leadership, appointing several new directors with diverse backgrounds, including experience in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry. Among the notable appointments is Jamie Selway, who will assume the role of director of the Division of Trading and Markets, effective June 17. Selway brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously served as the global head of institutional markets for Blockchain.com from 2018 to 2019. His expertise in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors is expected to be invaluable as the SEC continues to navigate the complexities of regulating these emerging technologies.
In addition to Selway, the SEC has also appointed Brian Daly to lead the Division of Investment Management. Daly has a strong legal background, having served as a partner at a prominent Washington, DC-based law firm for the past four years. His appointment is part of a broader effort by the SEC to enhance its regulatory oversight and ensure that the investment management industry operates with integrity and transparency.
The SEC's decision to bring in professionals with experience in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industries reflects a growing recognition of the importance of these technologies in the financial landscape. As digital assets continue to gain traction, the SEC's new leadership is well-positioned to address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this rapidly evolving sector. The appointments of Selway and Daly are expected to strengthen the SEC's ability to regulate major securities market participants and protect investors in an increasingly digital world.
The SEC's recent hires also include Kurt Hohl, who will join the agency as chief of staff. Hohl's appointment further underscores the SEC's commitment to building a team of experienced professionals who can effectively manage the agency's diverse responsibilities. With these new leaders in place, the SEC is poised to continue its mission of maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets while fostering capital formation and investor protection.
These appointments come at a time when lawmakers in the US Congress are considering legislation to clarify the authority the SEC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) would have over digital assets. The CLARITY Act, under consideration in the House of Representatives, is expected to head for a floor vote soon. The proposed rules on digital assets could have expanded the SEC’s definition of “exchange” to include decentralized finance protocols and provided more stringent requirements for custodying crypto.
However, the SEC still faces staffing challenges. Though the US Senate confirmed SEC Chair Paul Atkins to lead the regulator in April, the commission still has one vacant
as of June, with no official nominations yet from President Donald Trump. Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw, whose term ended in June 2024, is expected to leave by 2026 — commissioners can continue their roles for up to 18 months after their terms expire. At the CFTC leadership, there have been three vacancies following the departures of former chair Rostin Behnam, and commissioners Christy Goldsmith Romero and Summer Mersinger. Lawmakers in the Senate are considering Trump’s nomination of former commissioner Brian Quintenz to chair the CFTC, with no other picks to staff the agency as of Friday.
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