David Hirsch, the chief of crypto asset enforcement at the SEC, recently announced his departure from the agency after serving almost nine years in various roles. Hirsch expressed pride in the work done by the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit team under his leadership.
Hirsch took over as the head of the SEC’s Crypto Asset and Cyber Unit in the Division of Enforcement in October 2022, overseeing approximately 45 crypto cases during his tenure. Prior to this role, he worked as an enforcement attorney at the SEC’s Fort Worth Regional Office from 2015 to the present. Additionally, he served as counsel to SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw from September 2020 to October 2022.
Following his departure announcement, memecoin launchpad Pump.fun falsely claimed that Hirsch had joined their project after months of discussion and had been involved in launching over 100 coins. Hirsch quickly refuted these claims, stating unequivocally, “This claim by pumpdotfun is false.”
The spread of misinformation regarding Hirsch’s involvement with Pump.fun prompted criticism from Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett. Terrett described the situation as “cringe-worthy” due to the level of fake news circulating. She also highlighted the restrictions in place for SEC staff regarding holding crypto assets while serving at the agency.
In the world of crypto asset enforcement, transparency and accuracy are paramount. Any misinformation or false claims can have significant consequences, damaging the reputation of both individuals and projects involved. As David Hirsch departs from the SEC, it is essential to separate fact from fiction and ensure that accurate information is shared with the public.