US Crypto Regulation Leadership in Shambles as Key Officials Depart
The leadership of U.S. crypto regulation is facing a crisis as several high-ranking officials are set to leave their positions, leaving only three people in charge at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Republican SEC commissioner Hester Peirce, known for her pro-crypto stance, is leaving office on September 27 after serving for eight years. Her departure will leave the SEC with only two commissioners, Chair Paul Atkins and Mark Uyeda.
The CFTC situation is even more dire, as Chair Michael Selig is currently the sole commissioner following the departure of former acting chair Caroline Pham in December 2025.
With a total of seven vacant commissioner seats at the two agencies, U.S. President Donald Trump has the authority to fill the vacancies under federal law. However, the White House has not yet announced plans for additional nominations, and no specific candidates have been disclosed.