Hester Peirce, a commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a leading advocate for cryptocurrency innovation, has been appointed to lead the agency’s newly announced crypto task force.
However, investment bank TD Cowen has expressed concerns about the potential for Peirce’s term, which ends in June, to impact the continuity of the venture.
The formation of the task force, announced earlier this week by SEC Acting Chairman Mark Uyeda, is seen as a significant step toward regulatory clarity in the crypto industry. The task force aims to create a comprehensive framework for the industry, focusing on practical registration and disclosure requirements, as well as identifying regulatory gaps that Congress may need to address.
TD Cowen’s Washington Research Group, led by Jaret Seiberg, praised the initiative in a note published today, but called Peirce’s expiring term a potential risk. “Our only concern is that Peirce could leave when his term expires in June,” Seiberg wrote.
Known as “Crypto Mom” for her supportive stance on digital assets, Peirce has consistently pushed for balanced regulation to encourage innovation in the space. Seiberg said the task force likely has broader support within the SEC, adding that it could have institutional momentum even if leadership changes.
“We also believe Uyeda would not have announced this without the support of fellow commissioner Atkins,” Seiberg added.
The announcement of the crypto task force comes just one day after Donald Trump was inaugurated as US President, signaling a potential shift in federal priorities toward addressing the needs of the cryptocurrency sector.
*This is not investment advice.
