SEC General Counsel Dan Berkovitz announced that he is departing his role at the agency effective Jan. 31, the agency said. Berkovitz was an ally of FTX within the financial regulatory agency and had meetings with SBF and other crypto lobbyists.

Principal Deputy General Counsel Megan Barbero will take over for Berkovitz upon his departure.

"After thirty-four years of public service, it is time for me to pursue new and different challenges and opportunities," Berkovitz said.