Source: Cryptonews Original Title: Pro-crypto SEC official Cicely LaMothe retires, leaving behind a crypto-friendly legacy Original Link:

Background

Cicely LaMothe, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s deputy director of the Division of Corporation Finance, has announced her retirement after a 24-year tenure with the commission. During her career, she supported several pro-crypto initiatives that helped lay the groundwork for the SEC’s current, more supportive posture toward the digital asset space.

LaMothe’s Career and Contributions

On December 29, LaMothe, who served as the Deputy Director for Disclosure Operations, announced her retirement. In her statement, she expressed gratitude for her opportunity to serve: “After more than two decades at the SEC, I depart with a deep sense of honor and gratitude for the opportunity to serve the American public. The work has been incredibly challenging and rewarding.”

LaMothe is a graduate in accounting from Hampton University and a Certified Public Accountant who joined the SEC in 2002 after six years in the private sector. Throughout her tenure, she held several key roles, including Program Director of the Disclosure Review Program, Associate Director of Disclosure Operations, and Acting Director of the Division of Corporation Finance from December 2024 until October 2025.

Key Crypto-Related Achievements

LaMothe played a crucial role in shaping the SEC’s policy approach toward crypto and was instrumental in the agency’s plan to open an Office of Crypto Assets within the Division of Corporation Finance.

During her final year, LaMothe’s work focused on providing interpretive guidance through staff statements to clarify existing regulations:

• Memecoin Guidance: She spearheaded guidance clarifying that a meme coin is not automatically classified as a security, which paved the way for the filing of several meme coin ETFs, including those tied to assets like Dogecoin and Bonk.

• Staking Framework: She provided clear guidance distinguishing between centralized custodial staking and non-custodial staking by individuals.

• Crypto ETPs: She helped lay the foundation for a faster approval process for various crypto exchange-traded products by the end of 2025.

In total, LaMothe was involved in issuing seven staff statements on crypto-related issues, including the application of securities laws to certain stablecoin arrangements and clarifications regarding disclosures for public companies engaged in crypto mining.

Broader Shift in Crypto-Friendly Officials

LaMothe’s retirement occurs as several other crypto-friendly officials depart from key government roles:

• Caroline Pham: Former Acting Chair of the CFTC, she is leaving to join the private sector as Chief Legal Officer at a crypto infrastructure service provider. She had led several pro-crypto initiatives, including pushing for the launch of leveraged spot crypto trading.

• Rostin Behnam: The former Chairman of the CFTC, who actively advocated for broader oversight over spot crypto markets, stepped down earlier this year.

• Senator Cynthia Lummis: A key crypto proponent in Congress and leading advocate for a U.S. strategic Bitcoin reserve, has revealed she will not seek re-election next November.