Peirce Exits SEC, Citing Unfinished Work on Crypto Regulation

Hester Peirce, a Republican commissioner at the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is wrapping up her nearly decade-long tenure at the agency. In an interview with The Block, she reflected on her time at the SEC and expressed regret over not being able to achieve more. Peirce has been a key voice on digital asset regulation across multiple presidential administrations.

Peirce was a strong advocate for the cryptocurrency industry, pushing for rules as a Republican commissioner while Chairmen Jay Clayton, Gary Gensler, and Paul Atkins led the agency. She criticized the SEC's approach when it brought charges against key players for not properly registering and created a crypto task force to clarify its rules around staking.

Peirce has announced her resignation from the commission and is set to teach securities law and writing at Regent University School of Law. In her last week at the agency, she expressed concerns about progress on comprehensive crypto legislation stalling in the Senate.