2025-12-30 04:23:30

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently announced the retirement of a senior regulatory official, sparking considerable discussion in the crypto community. Cicely LaMothe worked at the SEC for 24 years, primarily responsible for developing regulatory policies related to digital assets and cryptocurrencies.

During her tenure, she made several key decisions. For example, regarding the classification of meme tokens like DOGE—her team clarified that under certain conditions, these assets do not fall under the category of securities, providing policy space for their trading. Additionally, her team led the development of regulatory rules for staking activities in the DeFi sector, clarifying which models are compliant and which pose risks.

LayMothe joined the SEC in 2002 and has risen from entry-level positions to Deputy Director of Corporate Finance, witnessing and promoting the evolution of the U.S. digital asset regulatory framework. Interestingly, after her retirement, there appears to be a subtle shift in SEC's regulatory stance. The previously relatively conservative approval attitude has noticeably loosened—spot ETFs for cryptocurrencies like DOGE, SOL, and XRP have been approved successively, and lawsuits against certain crypto companies have been withdrawn. The SEC has even launched a dedicated research project on digital assets.

Industry observers believe this shift reflects an upgrade in U.S. regulatory thinking. Moving from the previous "risk prevention first" approach to a "regulation + openness" parallel strategy indicates that the process of integrating digital assets into the mainstream financial system is accelerating. For investors, clearer regulatory frameworks and a wider range of compliant products (such as spot ETFs) indeed reduce participation uncertainties. It remains to be seen what new policies the SEC will introduce next, and ongoing attention is warranted.

DOGE-1,65%

SOL-1,93%

XRP-1,02%

View Original

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.

17 Likes

Reward
17
10
Repost
Share

Comment

0/400

GhostChainLoyalist

· 01-02 01:21

Wow, she left and SEC immediately changed their attitude? This pace is a bit fast haha Wait, 2024? This person is really a guardian level Now that ETFs are approved, it feels like crypto is really about to turn around This female official is very low-profile, no news but such influence So is she the KEY PERSON? No wonder the trend changes as soon as she leaves Could it be that someone is pushing from behind... Anyway, the atmosphere is definitely different now Here it comes, the era of standardized and open development moving forward together

View OriginalReply0

AlwaysQuestioning

· 2025-12-31 07:32

She started to loosen up right after retiring from the SEC? That's too much of a coincidence... 24 years, sis, how much can one person change?

View OriginalReply0

StealthDeployer

· 2025-12-31 03:07

Huh? Once this old guy retired, the tone changed, and it’s way too obvious. It feels like she was the one holding things back all along. 24 years... that's quite ruthless. It seems that allowing meme coins like DOGE was also her move. Now I understand. Wait, are the spot ETFs for SOL and XRP passing one after another? Why do I feel this change is happening a bit too quickly? But honestly, having clearer rules now makes things much easier for us players. No more constant worry and fear. The key still depends on what kind of tricks the SEC pulls next. These people are very unpredictable.

View OriginalReply0

BTCBeliefStation

· 2025-12-30 11:06

Damn, this sister is really the ceiling of crypto regulation, 24 years, brothers. It's like building the entire US crypto framework from scratch to now... No wonder as soon as she leaves, the SEC starts to relax, approving spot ETFs one after another. The pace is definitely different. This guy's retirement countdown effect is truly amazing haha. The previous "risk prevention first" approach was like managing parents, now it's shifted to "regulation + openness." Basically, it's about facing reality. Trying to block crypto was never going to work. I'm just curious what tricks the SEC can pull out next. Now it feels like they're really embracing crypto. Let's wait and see if there's a more aggressive policy leak.

View OriginalReply0

QuorumVoter

· 2025-12-30 04:53

Ha, as soon as Lady Yi retired, the SEC started to loosen up. Has she been holding it all along? It's quite interesting; DOGE can now have a spot ETF. The change in the wind is happening really fast. 2024, they have truly watched this circle grow from wild to mainstream. If this move continues, the gap between mainstream finance and the crypto world is really getting closer and closer. Wait, are those projects that were previously sued about to turn the tables?

View OriginalReply0

rugpull_ptsd

· 2025-12-30 04:51

Haha, as soon as this guy retired, the SEC started to relax? I'm not saying, but it really felt like they were too strict before. This change is so fast, from prioritizing risk prevention to openly allowing parallel development. It feels a bit like they’re welcoming everyone... In 2024, I truly witnessed the entire reshuffling process. Such a level of departure really has a significant impact on the ecosystem. I want to ask everyone, now that ETFs are approved, is it really regulated or has the regulatory body given up on treatment... Honestly, for investors, this is definitely much better, but the speed... it's better to be cautious.

View OriginalReply0

WhaleWatcher

· 2025-12-30 04:50

Damn, as soon as this guy retired, the SEC started easing up? That's hilarious. She left, and the SEC started approving ETFs—coincidence? I don't think so. Wait, so all our previous worries were unnecessary? Now it's great, even DOGE can have a spot ETF—are we far from retail investors entering? Haha. Honestly, from risk prevention to opening up, this change is super fast... I can't quite understand it. No, no, we should think about what new policies might come next. It feels like the rules have changed, and the game has changed too—what does this mean for retail investors? Good or bad? This guy has been doing this for 24 years. I bet five bucks she knows a lot of inside info. Wait, why do I feel like this story isn't that simple... With spot ETFs being approved one after another, it seems like big funds are about to enter. Are we ready? Her retirement actually became the biggest negative... no, wait, maybe it's a positive?

View OriginalReply0

GateUser-40edb63b

· 2025-12-30 04:44

Haha, as soon as this sister leaves, the SEC starts to loosen up. Coincidence? I don't think so. How to describe this change? It's quite logical. The previous feeling of being tightly suppressed has finally dissipated. Honestly, I didn't expect the approval of spot ETFs to come so quickly. It feels like the overall trend is really shifting. But to be fair, is this upgrade in regulatory approach good or bad for us small retail investors? Let's wait and see. In 2024, maybe she has already been holding back a lot of words about reform and is finally able to let go.

View OriginalReply0

SchrodingersPaper

· 2025-12-30 04:27

Damn, as soon as the big sister leaves, the SEC starts to loosen up? The iron-blooded sister of 2024 has finally retired, is the crypto world really about to take off now? Wait, why do I feel like this is a trap, like giving benefits first and then cutting them? Spot ETF approvals are coming one after another. When she was not here, it was all a dream. Now that she's gone, everything becomes real. That logic doesn't add up, bro. Is it true? The priority of risk prevention has been changed to regulation + open coexistence, it feels like a nicer way of saying "we don't care anymore." All lawsuits have been withdrawn, XRP has been approved, why haven't I made money yet... By the way, have you all gone all-in?

View OriginalReply0