Former SEC crypto enforcement chief David Hirsh leaves for private practice

Former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission crypto and cyber security lead David Hirsh has joined law firm McGuireWoods.

Hirsh previously led the SEC’s Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit (CACU) and will be joining the Washington D.C.-based company’s securities enforcement and regulatory counseling practice.

Hirsh “played a leading role establishing the agency’s approach to enforcing registration obligations for a variety of crypto asset activities,” according to a press release.

In recent years, the SEC has become increasingly hostile against the burgeoning cryptocurrency industry in the U.S., and has sued a number of the most high-profile firms including crypto exchange Coinbase, Kraken and Uniswap.

Hirsh, who joined the SEC in 2015, was previously counsel to prior SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw in an enforcement recommendation advisory role.

“Cybersecurity and crypto are rapidly evolving areas of the law and Dave’s unique background and extensive experience in securities enforcement will help our clients stay ahead of the curve,” McGuireWoods Chair of the Financial Services and Securities Enforcement Department Robert Muckenfuss said in a statement.