Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has backed Securities and Exchange Commissioner (SEC) Hester Peirce’s appointment to lead the agency during President Trump’s second term. He described Peirce as “smart, fair, professional,” and someone who can bridge both sides of the political spectrum, making her the best choice for the position.
Peirce, widely respected in the crypto sector, has been called “crypto mom” due to her industry support and opposition to regulatory actions that unfairly target digital assets. Her leadership could mark a significant shift for the crypto industry, which has often seen SEC Chair Gary Gensler as an adversary.
However, despite the momentum behind her appointment, reports suggest Peirce may not be interested in the role, preferring to avoid politics. There are several other possible candidates for the position, including SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda, Robinhood’s Chief Legal Officer Dan Gallagher, former Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Chris Giancarlo, former Acting Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) Brian Brooks, and former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins.
