Trump Appoints SEC Ex-Boss to Lead AI Coordination Effort Amid Crypto Infrastructure Stress
President Donald Trump has appointed Jay Clayton, a former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to lead a new 'Super Intelligence Force,' according to a post on Truth Social. The move follows earlier reporting that Trump planned an 'AI Force' and the creation of an AI czar role. The Super Intelligence Force will coordinate efforts across the federal government to help the United States 'continue to lead the World in Super Intelligence.'
Clayton previously led the SEC during Trump's first term and later led notable enforcement actions involving crypto-related matters. His background is likely to influence how the initiative approaches compliance, oversight, and enforcement. The choice of leadership points to a governance model grounded in federal coordination and legal framing, which matters because AI policy often translates into practical requirements.
Meanwhile, crypto infrastructure is showing both security intervention debates and hard economic shutdowns. NEAR's SHIELD AI system blocked funds tied to Bitget's hacked assets from being moved through NEAR Intents cross-chain swaps. The team at NEAR also urged exploiters to use bug bounties rather than disrupting services. However, this approach has been met with criticism, with some arguing that it may expose the operator to liability for downstream outcomes on the platform.
Blast, an Ethereum layer-2 network, has announced it is shutting down due to unsustainable economics. The team said that operating costs have exceeded the revenue generated by the chain, and they see no 'credible path' to achieving economic sustainability. The shutdown ends an L2 strategy built around native yield on Ether and stablecoins, along with a points program tied to a potential token airdrop.