Former Chainlink Executive Appointed SEC Crypto Task Force Chief Counsel

A Chainlink veteran joins the SEC

Taylor Lindman officially started his role as Chief Counsel of the Crypto Task Force at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday, February 24, 2026.

The news, first reported by Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett on X, marks a symbolic turning point: for the first time, a legal executive coming directly from the crypto industry joins the core decision-making body of the U.S. regulator.

Lindman comes from Chainlink Labs, where he served as Deputy General Counsel for 5 years. At the world’s leading decentralized oracle network, he navigated regulatory gray areas surrounding smart contracts, on-chain data feeds, and DeFi infrastructure.

The SEC Crypto Task Force structure

The SEC’s Crypto Task Force now brings together profiles from both regulatory backgrounds and industry experience:

Who is Hester Peirce?

Hester Peirce, nicknamed “Crypto Mom” by the community, leads this task force. An SEC Commissioner since 2018, she has distinguished herself through her pro-innovation positions and criticism of the former leadership’s punitive approach.

Upon announcing Lindman’s appointment, Peirce posted on X: “Welcome Taylor! Great things ahead.” — a message that reflects the regulator’s enthusiasm for this new era.

Who does Lindman replace?

Taylor Lindman succeeds Michael Selig, who left the position in December 2025 to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This rotation illustrates the growing professionalization of crypto regulation in the United States, with senior profiles moving between agencies and the private sector.

Why this appointment is historic

This appointment comes amid a radical transformation of U.S. crypto policy under the Trump administration:

1. End of “regulation by enforcement”

Under Gary Gensler, the former SEC Chair (2021-2025), the agency adopted an aggressive approach: lawsuits against Coinbase, Binance, Ripple, Kraken… without providing a clear regulatory framework. The result: billions of dollars in legal fees for the industry and a brain drain to more welcoming jurisdictions.

Under the new leadership, the SEC now favors dialogue and guidance over systematic enforcement.

2. Pro-industry profiles at the helm

Lindman’s appointment adds to a series of symbolic choices:

• Paul Atkins: new SEC Chairman, former commissioner favorable to crypto
• Hester Peirce: heading the Crypto Task Force
• Michael Selig: former Chief Counsel, now CFTC Chairman
• Taylor Lindman: directly from Chainlink

3. The GENIUS Act and regulatory clarity

Passed in July 2025, the GENIUS Act laid the groundwork for a legal framework for stablecoins. Issuers now hold over $150 billion in U.S. Treasury bonds, creating an unprecedented link between crypto and traditional monetary policy.

Lindman’s unique expertise

Taylor Lindman’s background positions him ideally for this role:

Oracle and infrastructure specialist

At Chainlink, Lindman worked on legal issues surrounding:

• Token classification (utility vs security)
• Decentralized data provider liability
• Cross-chain interoperability and its regulatory implications
• Smart contracts and their legal status

Chainlink (LINK), currently the 16th largest cryptocurrency by market cap at $5.8 billion, represents the mature infrastructure that regulators must now embrace — not fight.

Bridge between innovation and compliance

Lindman understands both worlds: the technical constraints of decentralized protocols AND the requirements of traditional financial regulators. This dual expertise was sorely lacking at the SEC until now.

What does this mean for the crypto industry?

For blockchain projects

Legal teams at crypto projects can expect:

• Clearer guidelines on token classification
• A consultation process before enforcement action
• Better understanding of technical specifics by the regulator

For Chainlink specifically

Lindman will need to recuse himself from any case directly involving Chainlink. However, his general expertise on oracles will inevitably influence how the SEC approaches this category of infrastructure.

For investors

A predictable regulatory framework is generally favorable for markets. The professionalization of SEC crypto oversight could:

• Reduce legal uncertainty
• Facilitate institutional entry
• Stabilize valuations in the long term

Key takeaways

Taylor Lindman’s appointment as Chief Counsel of the SEC’s Crypto Task Force symbolizes a new era in U.S. crypto regulation. For the first time, an expert coming directly from the industry — with 5 years of experience at a leader like Chainlink — joins the regulator’s decision-making core.

Under the leadership of Hester Peirce and with support from the Trump administration, the U.S. SEC is shifting from an adversarial stance to a collaborative approach. A development that Europe, bogged down in the complexities of MiCA, is probably watching closely.