As Gary Gensler is likely to step down from his role as the chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20 due to his regulatory action on digital assets, insiders say at least three Am Law 100 firm partners may be on Trump's short list for the role: Brad Bondi of Paul Hastings, Norm Champ of Kirkland & Ellis and Robert Stebbins of Willkie Farr & Gallagher.

Dorothy Lund, a leading expert on securities regulation and professor at Columbia Law School, said that although Gensler’s action on cryptocurrencies throughout the Biden administration was widely criticized for its aggressive regulation by enforcement, it will have long-term value for the agency.