Gary Gensler returns to MIT: from anti-crypto regulator to pro-crypto professor?

The former president of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler, known for his strict approach to cryptocurrency regulation, has officially returned to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 

According to FOX Business journalist Eleanor Terrett, Gensler will take on the role of Professor of Practice in the Global Economics and Management Group and in the Finance Group at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Gary Gensler and the return to MIT

The MIT Sloan Office has confirmed that the focus of its teaching and research will range from artificial intelligence, finance, fintech, and public policies. 

This transition marks a significant change for Gensler, who during his tenure at the SEC has promoted stringent regulation on cryptocurrencies, earning a reputation as an opponent of the sector.

The news of his return to the academic field has sparked a series of speculations within the crypto community. 

The journalist Anne Kelley wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

“Well, we know where former SEC Chairman Gensler is now. Back in the classroom at MIT Sloan, teaching the next generation about #CRYPTO! The question is: will he be pro-crypto again now that he’s back at MIT? ”

Gensler and his relationship with cryptocurrencies

During his tenure at the SEC, Gary Gensler has stood out for his firm stance towards the crypto sector, with a particular emphasis on the need to regulate exchange platforms and digital tokens. 

However, in his exit interview from the SEC, he expressed a more nuanced view regarding Bitcoin, describing it as highly speculative and volatile but acknowledging its more established use compared to other digital assets.

Gensler also emphasized that to achieve more favorable regulation, cryptocurrencies must demonstrate clear use cases and solid fundamentals. 

This position has led many to wonder if, once back in the academic context of MIT, he will adopt a more open approach towards cryptocurrencies and blockchain.

Will Gensler become “pro-crypto” at MIT?

The idea that Gensler may now embrace a more favorable perspective towards cryptocurrencies finds space among analysts and netizens. 

Some users joked about the fact that he might “go back to shilling Algorand,” a blockchain project he had previously supported.

In the meantime, the leadership of the SEC has undergone a change of course with the appointment of Mark Uyeda as the new president and Scott Bessent as Secretary of the Treasury. 

Both are considered more favorable to cryptocurrencies compared to Gensler, raising hopes among investors and companies in the sector for more balanced regulation.

The return of Gary Gensler to MIT marks a new phase of his career, raising questions about his future stance regarding cryptocurrencies. 

While on one hand his regulatory past suggests a cautious approach, on the other hand his academic role could offer him greater freedom in exploring the potential of blockchain and fintech without the pressures of a government position. The future developments of his work at MIT will be closely followed by the crypto and financial community.