Hester Peirce, who has served two terms as a commissioner at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), will transition to a teaching role at Regent University School of Law starting in November. Widely known in the cryptocurrency sector as “Crypto Mom,” Peirce also led the SEC’s cryptocurrency task force during her tenure.
Vacancies at the SEC and the implications for regulation
Although Peirce’s official SEC term runs until June 2025, U.S. law allows commissioners to remain for up to 18 additional months if no successors are appointed. With Peirce’s early departure, only two Republican commissioners will remain on the SEC: Mark Uyeda and Chairman Paul Atkins.
Democratic commissioner Caroline Crenshaw stepped down from the SEC in January, and her position remains unfilled. President Donald Trump has yet to nominate replacements for either open spot at the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Glossary: The SEC, or Securities and Exchange Commission, is the U.S. government agency responsible for overseeing and regulating securities and stock markets. The CFTC, or Commodity Futures Trading Commission, regulates the futures and derivatives markets; in recent years, debates have risen over its role supervising crypto assets.
Focus areas in Peirce’s new academic role
Regent University has announced that Peirce will support the school’s academic work in areas such as federal litigation, securities regulation, and digital assets. Her industry experience is expected to offer significant contributions, especially in the rapidly evolving field of digital asset law.
Regent University emphasized that Peirce’s involvement will strengthen the law school’s programs in digital assets, securities, and federal litigation. University officials highlighted that her robust background in U.S. financial regulation will be a valuable asset to the academic community.
Expectations for new appointments at the SEC and CFTC
Under the Trump administration, the SEC and CFTC, both responsible for crypto market regulation in the U.S., have outlined a new roadmap. Since the beginning of the year, the SEC has pulled back several investigations and enforcement actions involving crypto companies. Michael Selig, appointed by Trump as CFTC Chairman, has stressed that regulatory agencies will coordinate their efforts moving forward.
Meanwhile, the “CLARITY Act” currently before Congress could shift major oversight of crypto markets from the SEC to the CFTC if it becomes law. Should this legislation pass, the CFTC is expected to assume a more active and decisive regulatory role in the cryptocurrency sector.
Presently, Michael Selig is the sole acting member at the CFTC, even though a full commission has five seats. With Peirce stepping down, the SEC will drop from five to just two commissioners. The Trump administration has not yet revealed nominees for either regulatory body.
Who is Hester Peirce?
Appointed to the SEC by then-President Donald Trump in 2018 and confirmed for a second term in 2020, Hester Peirce previously received a nomination during the Obama administration, though she was not confirmed by the Senate at that time. Renowned for her constructive approach to cryptocurrency and her calls for “clear rules” in regulations, Peirce has made a name for herself as “Crypto Mom” within the industry.
