Adrienne Harris Departs From New York DFS; Calls for Closer Relations Between U.S. and U.K. Crypto Markets

The sitting governor of New York Kathy Hochul has announced the departure of Adrienne Harris as the head of the Department of Financial Services (DFS). After four years of service at the DFS, Harris stepped down on Monday, September 29.

“It has been a privilege and an honor to serve New Yorkers, delivering positive outcomes for consumers; cementing DFS as a global regulatory leader; and transforming the Department’s operations,” Harris noted. 

Kaitlin Appointed as Head of New York DFS

Governor Hochul appointed Kaitlin Asrow as the acting superintendent of New York’s DFS starting October 18, 2025. Asrow is expected to lead the state of New York through the changing financial system with the help of innovative technologies such as digital assets.

“I am committed to ensuring that New York remains the global financial capital, a leader in consumer protection, and a hub for responsible financial innovation,” Asrow noted. 

How Did Harris Impact the Crypto Market?

During her four-year tenure, Harris played a crucial role in enabling New York to become a major crypto hub through clear regulatory frameworks. According to Governor Hochul, Superintendent Harris hired more than 60 experts who prevented rogue crypto firms – such as FTX, Celsius, and Voyager – from operating in New York.

The past four years of Harris have also been marked with enforcement actions against crypto firms such as Gemini crypto exchange which returned $2.1 billion to consumers. As Harris departs from the New York DFS, she has urged a closer cooperation between crypto firms in the United States and the United Kingdom. 

Right before she announced her departure from the New York DFS, Harris called for borderless relations between crypto markets in the U.K. and in the U.S. 

“Can’t speak for how the folks in DC are thinking about what might come of this cooperation, but I think that passporting could be really interesting,” Harris noted.