America at a crossroads: Commissioner Peirce’s parting challenge

Today is Hester Peirce’s last day as an SEC Commissioner. The digital asset industry, and every American who believes regulation should mitigate risk and foster innovation, owes her an enormous debt of gratitude.

For more than eight years, Commissioner Peirce served as a principled voice at the Commission. Under the previous SEC Chairman, she frequently dissented when the Commission chose to bring enforcement actions rather than write rules the industry could comply with. She proposed a token safe harbor years before regulators were ready to listen. She led the Crypto Task Force and insisted that the agency’s duty to protect investors meant it must use its authority to provide regulatory guardrails for the rapidly expanding industry.

Commissioner Peirce brought humility, conviction, and a sense of humor to work every day. Washington could use more like her. Although she will no longer be at the SEC, her presence and the ideals she stood for will live on.

Will Schwartz is a Policy Associate at Blockchain Association, where he conducts research and analysis on digital asset legislation, regulation, and emerging policy developments.

Commissioner Peirce’s work is not done yet