Gary Gensler, the former chair of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has returned to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as a professor. After leaving the SEC, Gensler focuses on teaching and researching cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence (AI), finance, and financial technology.
He previously taught at MIT before leading the SEC and rejoined the academic world after his tenure as a regulator.
Before his time at the SEC, Gensler had an extensive career in the public and private sectors. He worked at Goldman Sachs and later became a professor at MIT. He will now direct the FinTech@CSAIL initiative, which brings MIT researchers and financial companies together to study AI’s role in the industry.
Gensler’s Teaching Focused on Crypto
One of Gensler’s key teaching areas will be cryptocurrencies. At MIT, he will likely continue analyzing crypto markets, their risks, and their future in global finance. Regarding his new position, he said:
“I am honored to return to MIT, whose faculty, staff, and students have long been at the cutting edge of research and technology. [. . .] I’m thrilled to once again collaborate with MIT’s distinguished team of scholars creating a better future for all through artificial intelligence, finance, and technology.”
Despite mixed reactions from the crypto community, many at MIT are pleased to have Gary Gensler back. Faculty members and researchers value his deep knowledge of financial regulation, AI, and fintech. His return is seen as an opportunity for students to learn from someone with “real-world experience.”
Gensler’s Regulatory Stance on Crypto
While serving as SEC Chair, he was known for pushing for stricter crypto regulations, arguing that many digital assets should be classified as securities. This stance led to multiple legal battles between the SEC and significant crypto firms. Examples of crypto-focused platforms caught in the SEC’s regulatory clampdown actions include Binance, Coinbase, and Ripple.
Another notable action demonstrating his pessimism for the crypto industry was his hesitance in approving a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), expressing concerns about market manipulation despite increased investor interest.
