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SEC Commissioner Hester Pierce Pushes Back Against Crypto Surveillance Rules

Key Takeaways

  • SEC’s Hester Peirce stated that financial privacy is a right and should be protected in the digital world;
  • She argued devs should not be blamed for how open-source privacy tools are used by others;
  • Peirce warns that surveillance rules on decentralized tech could harm innovation and personal freedom.​

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SEC Commissioner Hester Pierce Pushes Back Against Crypto Surveillance Rules

Hester Peirce, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner, has called for stronger protection of people’s right to make private transactions.

Speaking at the Science of Blockchain Conference on August 4, she said that financial privacy should be preserved in the digital age.

Peirce stated that individuals should be free to use technologies that protect their financial privacy, and that developers who create open-source tools should not be held responsible for how those tools are later used.

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She argued that the ability to manage one's own digital assets and transfer funds privately should be treated as a basic right.

To support her point, Peirce referred to the 1990s debate over encryption. At that time, the US government tried to limit access to strong cryptography, claiming national security risks.

However, after legal battles and public pressure from figures like Phil Zimmermann, the creator of Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) encryption software, the courts sided with privacy advocates.

Peirce suggested that privacy tools for digital assets are facing a similar challenge. She warned that holding software developers accountable for users' actions could discourage innovation and slow down progress.

According to her, requiring open-source protocols to meet surveillance rules would be pointless, especially when those protocols are decentralized and cannot be changed once launched.

Peirce also argued that peer-to-peer systems should stay open and accessible, even if that means some people will use them improperly.

The SEC recently introduced a plan called Project Crypto, aimed at updating how digital assets are regulated in the US. What does the plan include? Read the full story.

Aaron S. Editor-In-Chief
Having completed a Master’s degree in Economics, Politics, and Cultures of the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers analyzing the differences between Western and Collective forms of capitalism in the post-World War II era.
With close to a decade of experience in the FinTech industry, Aaron understands all of the biggest issues and struggles that crypto enthusiasts face. He’s a passionate analyst who is concerned with data-driven and fact-based content, as well as that which speaks to both Web3 natives and industry newcomers.
Aaron is the go-to person for everything and anything related to digital currencies. With a huge passion for blockchain & Web3 education, Aaron strives to transform the space as we know it, and make it more approachable to complete beginners.
Aaron has been quoted by multiple established outlets, and is a published author himself. Even during his free time, he enjoys researching the market trends, and looking for the next supernova.

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