The return of former Securities and Exchange Commission ($SEC) Chair Gary Gensler to $MIT has sparked a wave of reactions across the cryptocurrency community. Known for his stringent regulatory stance during his tenure at the SEC, Gensler’s reappointment at the prestigious institution has drawn criticism from some industry leaders who argue that his policies stifled innovation in the blockchain space.
$XRP Industry Leaders Call for Action
On January 27, MIT officially rehired Gensler, just days after he stepped down from his SEC role. His return to academia, however, has not been welcomed by all. Prominent crypto figures, including Tyler Winklevoss, co-founder of Gemini, voiced their dissatisfaction. Winklevoss took to social media, stating that as long as Gensler remained affiliated with MIT, Gemini would not hire graduates from the university, including interns.
Other key players in the space echoed similar sentiments. ShapeShift founder Eric Voorhees urged crypto companies to boycott MIT graduates until Gensler was removed from his position, arguing that his past regulatory approach had negatively impacted the industry. While some supported these calls for action, others believed that targeting students was misguided and counterproductive, potentially leading to missed opportunities for hiring top talent in the blockchain sector.
Mixed Reactions Within the Crypto Community
The idea of a boycott was met with divided opinions. Some industry participants viewed it as a necessary market-driven response to regulatory overreach, while others criticized it as unfair and excessive. Legal expert Sarah Shtylman dismissed the proposal, calling it an example of "cancel culture taken too far." Meanwhile, Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett questioned whether Gensler’s perspective on crypto might shift now that he has returned to an academic setting.
This is not the first time industry leaders have boycotted organizations linked to former SEC officials. In December, after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong severed ties with the law firm Milbank for hiring former SEC Commissioner Gurbir Grewal, Winklevoss followed suit, stating that Gemini would also stop working with firms employing former SEC personnel.
Despite the backlash, MIT has not indicated any plans to reconsider its decision to bring Gensler back into its academic ranks. Whether his return will influence future regulatory discourse remains to be seen, but it is clear that the crypto industry remains deeply invested in the broader conversation about regulation, innovation, and academic affiliations.
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