The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has hired Kristina Littman as Chief of the Division of Enforcement’s Cyber Unit, a specialized unit that aims to protect investors and markets from cyber-related misconduct.

Littman’s credentials

On Dec. 2, the SEC announced the new hire. The press release elaborated that Littman started at the SEC’s Division of Enforcement in 2010 as a staff attorney. Since then, she has held several senior attorney positions in the Market Abuse Unit and the Trial Unit.

Since August 2017, she has served as the lead advisor to SEC Chairman Jay Clayton. In that role, she advised on regulatory and policy matters relating to cryptocurrencies and digital assets, international affairs, trading and markets, and investment management. Chairman Clayton commented on Littman’s new position:

“Kristy’s innovative thinking and extensive experience within the Commission have made her an invaluable advisor and, most importantly, a tireless defender of America’s investors [...] She will be an excellent leader for the Cyber Unit as it continues its work in this critical and continually evolving area.”

Littman herself said that she is honored to serve as Chief of the Cyber Unit. “I am thrilled to work with talented women and men who have led the SEC’s efforts to pursue cyber-related misconduct,” she said.

Littman’s LinkedIn profile further reveals that prior to her position at the SEC, Littman practiced law in the greater Philadelphia area, where she specialized in white-collar and securities litigation. Prior to that position, she worked as a judicial law clerk at the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division.

U.S. regulators are hiring crypto specialists

Back in the spring, the SEC hired a dedicated staff member to provide expertise on cryptocurrencies. The position would reportedly pay up to $239,000 per year for its in-house crypto specialist, who serves in various consulting roles.

More recently, the United States Federal Reserve hired a manager for its Retail Payments section in Washington, D.C. This position was expected to contribute to the research of digital currencies, stablecoins and distributed ledger technologies.