U.S. SEC Appoints Former Chainlink Executive to Crypto Task Force

• The SEC has appointed Taylor Lindman, former Chainlink Labs executive, as Chief Counsel.
• This brings blockchain oracle expertise to regulatory discussions on DeFi and tokenization.
• The move signals a potential shift toward more technically informed crypto policy in the U.S.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) appointed Taylor Lindman as Chief Counsel of its Crypto Task Force on February 23, 2026. As the former Deputy General Counsel at Chainlink Labs, Lindman brings deep expertise in oracles and smart contracts. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce announced the hire, expecting “great things” from his contributions to clearer DeFi and tokenization policy.

Why This Appointment Matters

The appointment of Lindman to the SEC’s Crypto Task Force will bring direct industry experience into a senior regulatory position. Lindman spent over five years at Chainlink Labs, leading legal strategy, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting oracle networks that deliver real-world data to blockchains and institutional finance applications.

Lindman has replaced Michael Selig, who moved to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), signaling a deliberate shift toward hiring talent familiar with decentralized infrastructure. This hire strengthens the SEC’s ability to craft technically informed rules, closing knowledge gaps in oracle-dependent DeFi and tokenization and enabling more balanced, effective regulation.

Lindman’s Role in the Crypto Task Force

As Chief Counsel of the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, Lindman will advise on regulatory interpretations, compliance, and risk assessments for decentralized technologies, including tokenization, DeFi protocols, smart contract risks, and broader digital asset policy.

Specifically, Lindman will advise on securities classification, compliance frameworks, enforcement risk, and policy development across tokenization models, DeFi protocols, and smart contract infrastructure.

Notably, because DeFi operates differently from traditional finance, Lindman’s blockchain infrastructure experience positions him to translate on-chain mechanics into regulatory guidance, helping reduce ambiguity around tokenized assets, DeFi compliance, and smart contract liability.

Broader Impact on Web3 and U.S. Regulation

Crypto legislation in Congress has slowed despite earlier momentum. For example, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY Act) passed the House in July 2025 but remains stalled in Senate committee negotiations and markups as of February 2026.

Lindman’s appointment helps fill the regulatory vacuum by enabling the SEC to issue interpretive guidance on tokenization and DeFi. Consequently, his expertise in oracles and smart contracts will let the SEC Crypto Task Force clarify rules for Web3 networks using off-chain data and cross-chain interoperability.

Related: SEC Goes All In on Crypto Task Force: Here’s the Complete List of Key Members