Veda Appoints ex-SEC Official TuongVy Le as General Counsel, Eyes Institutional DeFi Growth

Veda, a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform, has recruited TuongVy Le, a former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) official, as its general counsel, signaling a strategic pivot toward institutional-grade DeFi products amid a broader trend of regulatory experts entering the crypto space. Le, who spent nearly six years at the SEC in roles including chief counsel and senior adviser, brings expertise in crypto enforcement and legislative affairs. Her tenure overlapped with the agency’s pivotal crackdown on unregistered securities offerings tied to initial coin offerings (ICOs) and early DeFi enforcement actions, including cases against BitConnect and LBRY [1].

Le’s appointment follows Veda’s recent $18 million funding round led by Coinbase Ventures and CoinFund, underscoring the platform’s ambition to scale its cross-chain yield offerings. Veda, which launched in 2024, tokenizes DeFi applications such as liquid staking tokens and stablecoins, with nearly $4 billion in total value locked (TVL) [1]. The platform’s focus on institutional investors aligns with a growing demand for infrastructure that balances innovation with regulatory compliance. Le emphasized her commitment to “reimagining how markets work” while bridging traditional finance (TradFi) and crypto, citing her prior roles at the SEC and Anchorage Digital [1].

The move reflects a broader pattern of former regulatory officials joining crypto firms. Notable examples include former SEC Chair Jay Clayton (Fireblocks) and CFTC Chair Chris Giancarlo (Sygnum), both of whom now advise the industry. This trend has intensified as pro-industry legislation, such as the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act, advances in Congress, aiming to clarify regulatory frameworks for digital assets [1]. Analysts suggest that the influx of regulatory veterans could accelerate mainstream adoption by addressing compliance challenges and fostering trust between regulators and the crypto sector.

Le’s experience in shaping early crypto legislation and her role in SEC enforcement actions position her to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape for Veda. Her background may also influence how policymakers perceive DeFi’s potential, particularly in balancing innovation with investor protection. The appointment coincides with increased scrutiny of decentralized platforms, making Le’s expertise in regulatory dialogue a strategic asset for Veda’s expansion [1].

Source: [1] Former SEC official joins Veda as General Counsel amid DeFi expansion (https://cointelegraph.com/news/former-sec-general-counsel-crypto-legislation-veda)