SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, who has completed two terms at the nation’s securities regulator, will end her tenure at the beginning of next month.
In a post on X, Commissioner Peirce shared a letter to President Donald Trump thanking him for the chance to serve and calling the role the honor of her professional lifetime.
“The United States is exceptional because its unifying thread is a commitment to liberty. A nation that elevates freedom of thought, expression, and action unlocks the great potential of its people to meet one another’s needs. That ethos runs through the American securities markets, where innovators meet retail and institutional investors so that together they can build a vibrant economy,” Peirce wrote. “Maximizing people’s freedom to choose what is best for themselves and their families within sensible regulatory parameters designed to give them the confidence to transact with others is a delicate and vitally important task for the regulator.”
She said she is confident the agency will continue that work under the leadership of SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and Commissioner Mark Uyeda.
As was previously reported, Commissioner Peirce has accepted a position as an associate professor at Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach (about 3 hours from DC), where she will teach federal securities law and the emerging digital asset ecosystem beginning in November.
Peirce first joined the Commission in January 2018 during President Trump’s first administration. She quickly became a prominent defender of smaller firms and investors and an advocate for rules that support innovation, capital formation, and free markets. Her speeches and statements were known for their wit and candor, and studied presentation. The crypto industry at one point dubbed her “Crypto Mom” for her push for clearer, tailored rules for digital assets. More recently, she led the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, convening market participants to seek workable paths for the new technology, engaging with hundreds of individuals and dozens of firms.
Peirce’s departure takes her out of day-to-day Washington politics, but the Regent post keeps her close to the policy world and the evolving crypto landscape. Industry insiders thanked Commissioner Peirce for her support and availability, which has set a very high standard for those who follow.