Share this article

Former SEC Chief Clayton to Chair Investment Giant Apollo

Clayton was named chair after longtime Apollo chief Leon Black unexpectedly called it quits Monday.

Updated Sep 14, 2021, 12:30 p.m. Published Mar 22, 2021, 4:43 p.m.
SEC Chairman Jay Clayton
SEC Chairman Jay Clayton

Former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Jay Clayton assumed the top boardroom seat at Apollo Global Management on Monday after founder Leon Black, the $455 billion management firm's longtime CEO and chair, unexpectedly announced his departure.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters

  • In a press release, Apollo named Clayton as the new "non-executive chair of board."
  • Apollo co-founder Marc Rowan will replace Black as CEO.
  • Clayton joined Apollo's board in February as its lead independent director, quickly moving into the private sector after a three-year stint helming the SEC, the top U.S. investments regulatory body.
  • Clayton ran the SEC during its early blockade against a bitcoin exchange-traded fund, the crackdown on unregistered and fraudulent initial coin offerings and, in his final weeks, the initiation of the lawsuit against Ripple Labs.
  • Black had previously pledged to cede control of Apollo after fallout over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but he was expected to retain the chairmanship.
  • Monday, he credited health issues in explaining the full severance.

More For You

Bitcoin shrugs off Trump's new tariffs, nears $68,000 as altcoins lead modest bounce

Bitcoin (BTC) price (CoinDesk)

Crypto prices edged higher on Friday despite a splash of tariff turbulence after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Trump's levies illegal.

What to know:

  • Bitcoin climbed toward $68,000 on Friday despite a fresh 10% global levy from Trump after the Supreme Court's pushback.
  • The CoinDesk 20 Index rose 2.5%, with BNB, DOGE, ADA and SOL leading gains.
  • One trader said that prices will likely stuck rangebound barring any macro shocks.