Hester Peirce is an American lawyer and government official serving as a commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Born on December 23, 1970, Peirce is known for her expertise in financial regulation and her advocacy for innovation in the financial markets. Peirce, often referred to as "Crypto Mom," has been a vocal supporter of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology during her tenure at the SEC. She has consistently advocated for clearer regulations and a more welcoming regulatory environment for cryptocurrency projects and startups. Peirce is perhaps best known for her dissenting opinions on SEC rulings related to cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and initial coin offerings (ICOs). In particular, she has argued that the SEC should take a more flexible approach to regulating cryptocurrency offerings, allowing for greater innovation and investment opportunities in the space. Prior to joining the SEC, Peirce served as a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, where she focused on financial market regulation and regulatory reform. She has also worked as a staff attorney at the SEC and as counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Peirce holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Case Western Reserve University and a JD from Yale Law School. She is widely respected for her deep understanding of financial markets and her commitment to promoting innovation and competition in the financial industry. Overall, Hester Peirce is a prominent figure in the world of financial regulation, known for her expertise in cryptocurrency and her efforts to create a more conducive regulatory environment for innovation in the financial markets. As a commissioner of the SEC, she continues to play a key role in shaping the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology in the United States.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Hester Peirce is concerned that the US may lag far behind other jurisdictions in adopting tradable exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for cryptocurrencies.
US SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce has proposed a three-year regulatory "vacation" for cryptocurrency startups. Peirce at the International Blockchain Congress in Chicago announced this proposal.
Speaking at a cryptocurrency summit hosted by Solidus Labs in New York, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce expressed confidence that digital assets will continue to grow.