New York’s Top Crypto Regulator Adrienne Harris Steps Down After Four-Year Tenure

Adrienne Harris, the longest-serving superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), will depart her role on October 18, 2025. Her tenure coincided with Wall Street's deepening engagement with digital assets and the maturation of state-level crypto oversight.

Governor Kathy Hochul named Kaitlin Asrow as acting superintendent. Asrow previously led NYDFS's digital asset licensing and supervision efforts, building what the agency calls "one of the largest crypto supervisory teams in the world." Her background includes stints at the Federal Reserve and financial policy think tanks.

The transition comes as NYDFS maintains oversight of major financial institutions and crypto firms operating under New York's BitLicense regime. The department's regulatory reach extends from traditional giants like JPMorgan to emerging digital asset platforms.