SEC's 'Crypto Mom' Hester Peirce Is Stepping Down in October
Sep 27, 2026
After nearly nine years at the SEC, Commissioner Hester Peirce, known as Crypto Mom, is leaving the agency to teach law at Regent University.
The End of an Era
Big news for anyone who follows crypto regulation: SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce is stepping down on October 2, after almost nine years at the agency.
Peirce earned the nickname "Crypto Mom" for being one of the very few voices inside the SEC who consistently pushed back against heavy-handed enforcement and argued for clearer rules instead of "regulation by lawsuit." She's leaving to take an associate professorship at Regent University School of Law.
Why This Matters for Crypto
Peirce was often the lone dissenting vote when the SEC cracked down on exchanges and token issuers, and her departure leaves a real gap in the commission's crypto-friendly camp. The timing is notable too, coming right as the agency works through new digital asset frameworks.
Whoever replaces her will shape how the SEC treats crypto for years to come, so this is one worth watching closely.