Crypto exchange Gemini has made a bold statement against SEC Chair Gary Gensler, announcing that it will no longer hire graduates from MIT, where Gensler previously taught blockchain and finance courses. The move is a direct response to what Gemini’s co-founders, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, describe as regulatory overreach by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The statement reflects growing tensions between U.S. crypto firms and the SEC, which has aggressively pursued enforcement actions against several digital asset companies, including Gemini. The exchange has been embroiled in legal disputes with regulators over its Earn program, which the SEC alleges violated securities laws. Gemini’s decision to single out MIT appears to be a symbolic protest against Gensler’s regulatory approach.
Industry reactions to Gemini’s announcement have been mixed. While some crypto advocates support the stance, viewing it as a stand against unclear and restrictive regulations, others see it as an impractical move that could limit the exchange’s talent pool. MIT remains a top institution for blockchain and crypto-related research, producing some of the industry’s leading developers and entrepreneurs.
As regulatory pressure on the crypto sector continues, Gemini’s move highlights the growing frustration among industry leaders over what they see as hostile policies from U.S. regulators. Whether the hiring ban is a genuine policy shift or simply a high-profile protest, it underscores the widening divide between traditional financial regulators and crypto-native firms.
