- SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce stated that most meme coins likely fall outside the agency’s jurisdiction.
- TRUMP meme coin surged past $73 before crashing 80% to $15.42, highlighting meme coin volatility.
- Peirce emphasized a shift from past SEC policies, calling herself a “freedom maximalist” rather than a crypto advocate.
The SEC’s newly appointed crypto task force head has made it clear—meme coins probably won’t fall under the agency’s watch.
In an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce was asked about the TRUMP and MELANIA meme coins, tokens launched by President Donald Trump and his wife ahead of his January 20 inauguration. Specifically, the question was whether these cryptocurrencies would be considered securities under the SEC’s jurisdiction.
Peirce’s response? Unlikely.
“There are lots of people introducing meme coins right now,” she said. “But many of the meme coins out there probably do not have a home in the SEC under our current set of regulations.”
The SEC, unsurprisingly, did not respond to Decrypt’s request for comment.
The Wild World of Meme Coins
Meme coins are unlike traditional cryptocurrencies. They’re often inspired by internet jokes, cultural moments, or public figures and can be minted in minutes. Their prices can skyrocket overnight—then crash just as quickly. Some traders make absurd profits, others get wiped out in a blink.
Case in point: TRUMP. The token soared past $73 just before the inauguration but has since nosedived to $15.42, an 80% collapse, according to CoinGecko.
Despite this volatility, Peirce’s remarks suggest that meme coins, including those tied to political figures, likely won’t be classified as securities. Instead, the SEC is still working through a much bigger question—what cryptocurrencies should actually be regulated under securities law.
A New Era for Crypto Regulation?
Under the Biden administration, the SEC—led by former Chair Gary Gensler—took an aggressive stance on crypto, frequently suing companies for allegedly selling unregistered securities. But things are shifting.
Peirce, sometimes called “Crypto Mom” for her industry-friendly stance, is expected to bring a different approach. However, she’s careful to clarify that she’s not here to be an advocate for crypto companies. Instead, she describes herself as a “freedom maximalist.”
“Watching what’s happened to crypto for the past several years has just been extremely frustrating for someone who believes that government is there to serve the American people, not to stymie them when they’re trying new things,” Peirce said.
With President Trump openly supporting the crypto industry, the regulatory landscape is poised for a shake-up. How that plays out—and whether meme coins truly remain untouched—remains to be seen.
