SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce will leave the agency on Oct. 2, 2026, ending about eight years of service and the tenure of a leading advocate for clearer digital-asset rules. Known as "Crypto Mom," Peirce has directed the SEC's Crypto Task Force since Feb. 4, 2025, helping guide work on mining, staking, memecoins, token classification and tokenized securities. The SEC issued guidance alongside her announcement on when token promotion, software changes and staking receipt tokens can meet elements of an investment-contract analysis. Her departure will leave Chair Paul Atkins and Commissioner Mark Uyeda, both Republicans, as the SEC's only seated members. Bitcoin traded near $83,988 on Sept. 26, down about 0.3%, while Solana rose roughly 3.5% to $120.90. Peirce will join Regent University School of Law as an associate professor in November, teaching subjects including federal litigation, securities regulation and digital assets.