According to BlockBeats news on May 14, former House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry stated that former SEC Chairman Gary Gensler was much more moderate in his private views on digital assets than in public.
Patrick McHenry stated in a (U.S. cryptocurrency) podcast that in private discussions, Gensler expressed appreciation for the potential of blockchain and digital assets—this stands in stark contrast to his aggressive regulatory stance while leading the SEC. McHenry recalled that Gensler often mentioned his time at MIT, where he taught courses on blockchain and digital currencies, and recognized the value of digital assets while understanding blockchain technology.
Others who have worked with Gensler in his academic career also confirmed this view. Sei Labs General Counsel Gerald Gallagher pointed out that Gensler contributed to the early conceptualization of token airdrops—a detail that is rarely mentioned in his public biography.