In light of the demise of FTX and the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, U.S. regulators have increased their pressure on the cryptocurrency industry over the past year (SVB).
Now, according to a job posting on the official government website, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is hiring general attorneys in New York, New York; San Francisco, California; and Washington, D.C., for its Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit within its Division of Enforcement.
The job description indicates that conducting “complex, rapid-fire investigations” involving crypto asset securities and cyber issues will be among the duties. Other responsibilities include drafting subpoenas or document requests, interviewing witnesses, and evaluating evidence, among others.
The annual salary range for the position of general attorney within the crypto asset enforcement division is $140,830 to $255,590.
This announcement comes shortly after SEC chairman Gary Gensler’s March 29 request for nearly $2.4 billion in funding to investigate crypto “misconduct.”
U.S. regulators have intensified their crackdowns on the cryptocurrency community over the past year.
Local regulators intend to impose new taxes on the industry, prompting some industry insiders to wonder if these and other regulations will “suffocate” the industry and prevent vital innovation.
The cryptocurrency exchange Beaxy recently ceased operations after the SEC filed multiple charges against the company’s founder. Sushi, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) based in Japan, is also being subpoenaed by the SEC.
However, not everyone in regulatory authority positions supports the SEC’s approach. Congressman Tom Emmer referred to Gensler as a “bad faith regulator” and questioned his industry oversight techniques.
