SEC sees 700 resignations as crypto policies take shape

More than 700 employees at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have resigned under a voluntary program aimed at reducing the federal workforce, according to sources cited by Reuters.

The departures include over 150 staff members from the enforcement division and several senior officials.

These exits are linked to federal workforce cuts supported by President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The White House has been offering financial incentives for early retirements and resignations, with a deadline set for employees to accept the deals.

While more than 600 resignations have been confirmed, the number could rise as additional decisions are finalised.

Some employees not part of the buyout program may also leave.

The resignations account for over 12% of the SEC's workforce, according to the agency’s latest budget report to Congress.

The restructuring began under Acting Chairman Mark Uyeda, while Trump’s nominee for SEC chair, Paul Atkins, is set to testify before Congress next week.

The departures coincide with a shift in the SEC’s regulatory stance on digital assets.

Under the Trump administration, the agency has dropped lawsuits against several cryptocurrency firms and formed a new crypto task force led by Commissioner Hester Peirce.

The White House also hosted its first cryptocurrency summit, signaling a change in approach toward the sector.

These developments have been viewed as a shift from the SEC’s previous enforcement-driven policies, which some in the industry considered restrictive.

Trump’s support for digital assets is being interpreted as a move toward a more flexible regulatory environment.

Industry figures suggest the changes could attract investment and foster technological development in the U.S. crypto market.