On Wednesday, Donald Trump announced two new names for his future government. First, Jared Isaacman, aviator and world record holder, but also private astronaut, at the head of NASA. And then, Paul Atkins, to head the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The latter is rather favorable to cryptocurrencies, unlike its predecessor.
Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he had chosen the billionaire Jared Isaacmanthe first private astronaut to have carried out a spacewalk, as head of NASA, the American space agency.
This choice could potentially pose a conflict of interestgiven the relationship between the head of the financial company Shift4 and Elon Musk, boss of SpaceX and future member of Donald Trump's administration. “Jared will be the driving force behind NASA's mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in science, technology and space exploration,” the billionaire added. Republican who will take office on January 20.
Seasoned aviator and figure of commercial spaceflight
Jared Isaacman, 41, has become one of the main figures of commercial flights in space due to its collaborations with SpaceX. Originally from Pennsylvania, Mr. Isaacman started the company that became Shift4 Payments in his family's basement at the age of 16. Seasoned aviatorhe is qualified to fly military aircraft, has participated in air shows and established a world record for a flight around the world.
“There will inevitably be a thriving space economy – one that will create the opportunity for countless people to live and work in space. At NASA, we will passionately explore these possibilities,” responded Mr. Isaacman in a post.
In September, Jared Isaacman directed the first private spacewalk in history. This excursion was part of the program Polarisa collaboration between the expected new leader of NASA and SpaceX, which must include three missions in total. The financial terms of this partnership remain confidential, but Jared Isaacman is said to have invested 200 million dollars of his personal fortune to lead, in 2021, SpaceX's Inspiration4 orbital mission, an entirely civilian mission and which constituted its first foray into space. He is also a strong supporter of SpaceX and Elon Musk, who was tasked by Donald Trump with co-chairing a commission on government efficiency.
-Paul Atkins to head the SEC
The same day, Donald Trump announced that he planned to nominate, once inaugurated, the Republican lawyer Paul Atkinsfavorable to the development of cryptocurrencies, to lead the American Financial Markets Regulatory Authority, the SEC.
Former commissioner of the same authority from 2002 to 2008 under the George Bush government, Paul Atkins will succeed Democrat Gary Gensler, who announced his resignation at the end of November after the election of Donald Trump. He is currently the managing director of a risk management consultancy firm, Patomak Global Partners, but also advisor to the Digital Chamber, an organization promoting the technology on which companies rely. cryptocurrenciesthe “blockchain”. Although he has already been publicly critical of the use of cryptocurrencies for speculative purposes, he is no less in favor of the development of this sector for transactional purposes.
Crucial digital assets for the United States
This position contrasts with that of the outgoing president, Gary Genslerwhose mandate was marked by a wave of repression against numerous players in digital currencies, accused of operating illegally. Paul Atkins has also spoken several times in favor of strict compliance with their mandate by American government agencies, notably the SEC, contrary to the doctrine of the Biden administration, which is more interventionist. Last year, he publicly criticized SEC officials, saying they should have been “more accommodating” to cryptocurrency companies and accusing their approach of divert entrepreneurs from the American market.
“Paul has demonstrated his orientation in favor of regulation tinged with common sense,” said Donald Trump in a message posted on his Truth Social platform. “It also recognizes that digital assets are crucial to make America greater than it has ever been,” the president-elect wrote.
