SEC now all-Republican as crypto rulemaking momentum builds in 2026

The SEC is set to continue last year’s pro-crypto rulemaking, as the commission and other federal agencies are controlled solely by Republicans.

Caroline Crenshaw has left the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), leaving all sitting commissioners Republican, with two seats currently vacant. As a result, internal opposition to crypto-friendly policy at the commission has effectively disappeared.

Republicans in Washington have generally been friendlier toward the crypto industry than their Democratic counterparts. The SEC made a 180-degree turn last year, after President Donald Trump entered office and Congress moved on landmark crypto legislation.

Now, just one week into 2026, the Senate is set for a markup vote on the crypto market structure bill — and there is an entirely Republican SEC. 

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