Gate News, March 24 — According to foreign media reports, Margaret Ryan, the former enforcement chief of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), resigned suddenly on March 16 due to disagreements with senior officials over the handling of several sensitive cases. The reports indicate that the controversy centers around the enforcement approach concerning individuals closely connected to President Trump.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Margaret Ryan advocated for stricter fraud and misconduct charges in related cases but faced opposition from SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and some politically appointed officials, leading to escalating internal tensions. The SEC official statement did not disclose specific reasons for her departure.
The report highlights that key cases involved Justin Sun and Elon Musk. Previously, the SEC reached a $10 million settlement with Justin Sun earlier this month to resolve lawsuits against him and related companies. The case was initially filed in 2023 and involved allegations of unregistered securities offerings and market manipulation. Notably, Justin Sun has significantly increased his investments in Trump-related crypto projects in recent years.
Meanwhile, the SEC’s lawsuit against Elon Musk has also become a focal point of controversy. The case accuses Musk of failing to disclose his holdings in a timely manner during the Twitter (now X) acquisition process. The two sides are currently in settlement negotiations.
Changes in regulatory oversight continue. Since Trump’s presidency, the SEC’s enforcement stance on the crypto industry has shifted, with many cases initiated during former Chair Gary Gensler’s tenure being dismissed or settled. Some lawmakers have expressed concern over this shift.
Analysts believe that this personnel change reflects ongoing internal disagreements within U.S. regulatory agencies regarding crypto enforcement and policy directions. As related regulations gradually advance, future regulatory developments remain uncertain. (Cointelegraph)