Hester Peirce Pushes for Durable Crypto Regulations as Enforcement Eases

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissioner (SEC) Hester Peirce has called for more enduring crypto regulations, urging lawmakers and regulators to establish clearer rules that remain consistent across different administrations.

Speaking at the DC Blockchain Summit on March 26, Peirce emphasized the need for regulatory durability through formal rulemaking and congressional legislation, as opposed to temporary agency guidance.

Peirce, who leads the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, argued that clearer guidelines would reduce legal uncertainty for crypto builders. “I hope people won’t be sitting around thinking about the Howey test,” she said, referring to the legal framework used to determine whether an asset qualifies as a security.

She stressed that while such legal considerations remain relevant, they should not dictate the innovation process. Instead, Peirce advocated for clear jurisdictional boundaries and a transparent regulatory path for crypto firms.

Her comments come at a time when the SEC, under Acting Chair Mark Uyeda, has softened its enforcement approach. In recent months, the regulator has dropped several high-profile investigations and legal actions against major crypto companies, including Coinbase, Ripple, Kraken, and Immutable.

Trump Administration Influences SEC’s Softer Stance

Peirce’s remarks coincide with growing speculation that the SEC’s recent policy shift may be politically motivated. Some industry observers believe that the Trump administration is influencing the agency’s regulatory direction, particularly as several crypto firms facing SEC scrutiny had backed Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.

Meanwhile, Congress is also taking steps toward crypto regulation. Lawmakers in the 119th session, which began in January, have proposed a market structure bill aimed at defining the roles of the SEC and the CFTC in overseeing digital assets.

The legislation is expected to clarify which agency holds primary regulatory authority over various types of crypto assets, bringing long-awaited structure to the fragmented oversight landscape.

Paul Atkins Emerges as Key Crypto Ally

Meanwhile, former SEC commissioner nominated by Trump, Paul Atkins, is set to testify before the Senate Banking Committee on March 27. His views on crypto regulation will likely be a focal point during the hearing.

Atkins, who holds assets in tokenization platform Securitize and has ties to a consulting firm connected to FTX, has drawn support from the crypto industry for his more lenient stance on digital asset regulations.

If confirmed by the full Senate, Atkins could take over as SEC chair from Uyeda, potentially furthering the agency’s shift toward more industry-friendly policies.