According to Techub News, citing NewsBTC, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce criticized the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s approach to crypto regulation during a farewell speech titled “Peirce Out.” Peirce said the agency has relied too heavily on enforcement actions when overseeing the cryptocurrency industry, leaving companies to operate in a system shaped by enforcement risk rather than clearly stated rules.
In the speech, Peirce compared parts of the regulatory process to an “escape room,” describing the difficulty crypto firms face when trying to find a workable compliance path. She emphasized that companies in the digital asset sector need a clearer regulatory framework, rather than a structure in which the boundaries are defined mainly through the threat or outcome of enforcement proceedings.
Peirce, often referred to as “Crypto Mom” because of her long-standing support for digital asset innovation, is scheduled to join Regent University School of Law in November 2026. Her departure will remove one of the SEC’s important internal voices supporting the crypto industry. As stated in the original report, the move may affect the agency’s future stance on policies involving tokens, exchanges and custody.