Sheila Warren steps down as CEO of Crypto Council for Innovation

Sheila Warren announced her resignation as CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI) just one month before Donald Trump begins U.S. presidential term.

The crypto advocacy organization’s chief legal officer, Ji Kim, will step into the role of acting CEO. Warren, who has led the organization for three years, will continue her involvement as Senior Global Policy Officer to “provide support.”

I am filled with mixed emotions as I share that I will be stepping down as the inaugural CEO of @crypto_council in January. The incomparable @_JiKim will be stepping into a new role as President and Acting CEO of CCI, and I will provide support as Senior Global Policy Advisor.…

— Sheila Warren (@sheila_warren) December 13, 2024

CCI champions for stronger crypto regulations

The CCI promotes fair cryptocurrency regulations globally, frequently comments on proposed regulations, and engages with government officials.

The crypto advocacy group expects to expand its influence across Asia, Europe, and Africa via several new partnerships and adding a new advisor. Earlier this year, Warren participated in a roundtable discussion with U.S. Congress members, a Biden administration adviser, and crypto executives, calling the conversation a “productive step forward” in approaching crypto as a nonpartisan issue.

Warren reflected that when she first took on the role as CCI’s CEO three years ago, it was a different era, before the FTX collapse and as Gary Gensler’s scrutiny of the industry was beginning.

Crypto executives expect growth under Trump’s administration and SEC changes

Warren’s resignation news comes as growing confidence emerges among crypto executives, who believe Trump’s administration will support global crypto adoption.

Marcin Kaźmierczak, co-founder and chief operations officer at RedStone, recently said that Trump’s presidency “could significantly accelerate” the growth of decentralized finance (DeFi). He noted that such an administration could advocate for policies that push DeFi from niche to mainstream, sparking an influx of innovation and investment.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler, known for his tough stance on crypto regulation, is set to leave the agency on Jan. 20, 2025.

Donald Trump recently nominated cryptocurrency proponent Paul Atkins to lead the US Securities and Exchange Commission. This move has been met with enthusiasm across the finance industry, which anticipates a more favorable regulatory environment under the upcoming administration.

Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, stated that the past four years under Chair Gensler felt like a continuous anti-crypto campaign. She believes Paul Atkins will bring a fresh perspective supported by a strong understanding of the digital asset ecosystem.

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