Who is Dan Gallagher? Will He Replace SEC Chair Gary Gensler If Trump Wins?

As a seasoned crypto investor with over a decade of experience navigating the ever-evolving digital asset landscape, I find myself eagerly watching the developments surrounding the potential replacement of SEC Chair Gary Gensler. The prospect of Dan Gallagher stepping into this role is particularly intriguing due to his deep understanding of the industry and his tenure as an SEC commissioner earlier in his career.


With voters predominantly focusing on Donald Trump and other presidential contenders, attention has recently turned towards Dan Gallagher, a potential replacement for current SEC Chair, Gary Gensler. Over time, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has implemented stringent measures regarding the crypto industry, garnering criticism in the process. If Trump were to win the election, this could lead to Gensler’s dismissal as Trump publicly pledged to fire him during a rally.

Moreover, it’s possible that Trump could be removed from office, but there’s speculation that Gary Gensler might lose his position soon. This has sparked curiosity among users about who will take over as the next chair of the SEC.

Who is Dan Gallagher?

Dan M. Gallagher is recognized as a significant figure in the cryptocurrency sector, serving as the Chief Legal Officer for Robinhood, a widely-used investment platform. The news about this Robinhood CLO being potentially selected to replace the current SEC Chair has gained attention recently, with many expecting this change due to the growing discontent towards Gary Gensler. For years, the SEC has been seen as a barrier for the crypto industry by some, who believe that its actions are hindering its growth.

As a crypto investor, I might say: “I’ve got a background in law, serving as one of the SEC’s commissioners from 2011 to 2015. This appointment came from President Obama himself. During my tenure, I also worked as a deputy director and acting co-director within the Division of Trading and Markets.

Beyond his role at the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute for Law and Economics as an advisor, Dan’s professional journey started in the private sector before moving into government work in 2006. After a decade of public service, he made another transition back to the private sector. Given his diverse career background, Dan is seen as a strong contender to replace Gary as SEC chair.

Dan has voiced his criticism towards Gary’s approach to work. In an interview with MM, he shared that he has a lengthy relationship with the SEC chair and holds him in high regard. Nevertheless, if he were in the same role, he would have taken a different path, such as implementing customized regulations and establishing a standard registration system, for crypto exchanges and brokers.

Will Dan Gallagher Replace Gary Gensler?

As a crypto investor, I’ve been following the speculation surrounding Gary Gensler’s position as SEC Chair. The ex-President, Donald Trump, openly expressed his intention to dismiss Gensler during his presidency, which has created uncertain circumstances for him. This came as a surprise when Trump stated he was unaware of Gensler’s lack of popularity among some circles. There were rumors that Dan Gallagher would align better with the Trump administration, potentially leading to a change in leadership. However, these are just unconfirmed reports with no official confirmation or disclosure.

The speculation about who might lead the SEC started with a Politico article discussing prospective nominees, and Dan Gallagher was initially brought up as a possibility. This piece also noted that an ex-SEC official deemed Dan an ideal pick, while numerous other points were made in his favor.

One point of consideration is that the ongoing legal dispute between Robinhood and the SEC may impact this decision. At present, Dan Gallagher has not indicated any plans to leave Robinhood or join the SEC, but he has expressed gratitude for being recognized for the position and hopes that the best candidate will ultimately be selected.

Regardless, there are a few more nominees for this position, like K Street,  Chris Giancarlo (also nicknamed cryptoDad), Robert Stebbins, and many others.

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2024-10-08 11:42