Kamala Harris’s transition team is reportedly evaluating potential candidates to replace Gary Gensler as SEC Chair, according to sources familiar with the matter. Two names being considered are Georgetown Law professor Chris Brummer and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Chair Erica Williams, both seen as more crypto-friendly than Gensler.

However, Vice President Harris has not officially stated any plans to replace Gensler. Her team is primarily focused on voter mobilization efforts while balancing other pressing policy issues and time constraints.

The Harris camp is weighing how openly pro-crypto to appear ahead of the election, as it could alienate progressive voters wary of digital assets. Legally, a president can remove an SEC Chair from their commissioner position, though traditionally chairs resign upon a new president’s inauguration.

Chris Brummer, founder of Bluprynt, has experience in both academia and regulatory circles. He was part of Biden’s financial regulation transition team and was previously nominated by Obama for a CFTC position. One source called Brummer “better qualified than Gary Gensler” and a potential olive branch to the crypto industry.

Erica Williams has led initiatives to enhance investor protection at the PCAOB, imposing significant fines on firms for exam cheating and quality control issues. While not overly vocal on crypto, she introduced an examination program to address emerging risks including cryptocurrencies.

Both Williams and Brummer are seen as progressive on financial regulation and supportive of crypto legislation, while taking a firm stance against bad actors. They are known as consensus builders, in contrast to Gensler’s reputation for being heavy-handed. If appointed, either would be the first non-white SEC Chair.

Some influential crypto figures like Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen have openly supported and donated to Harris, citing her understanding of innovation and experience in California’s tech sector.