Katherine Reilly Appointed Acting SEC Inspector General, Focus on Crypto Oversight

Katherine Reilly has assumed the role of Acting SEC Inspector General following Deborah Jeffrey’s retirement in May. With a history of serving as Deputy Inspector General and Counsel and previously filling acting chief roles during leadership transitions, Reilly brings extensive experience in oversight, audits, and investigations, focusing on financial market evolution rather than policymaking. 2024 performance reports highlight digital asset scams as one of the SEC’s top challenges, with $3.96 billion in losses for the year attributed to these schemes, primarily impacting retail investors, especially seniors. The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy received a surge of complaints related to crypto assets last year, representing roughly 18% of all reports. Reilly’s continued focus suggests that investor protection in the digital asset space will remain a priority during her tenure.