- The SEC will host a crypto roundtable on October 17 focused on privacy and surveillance.
- Commissioner Peirce highlights privacy tools as critical for balancing innovation with financial safeguards.
- This builds on earlier clarity initiatives and may strengthen U.S. leadership in the digital asset sector.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is preparing for a major discussion on digital assets and privacy. On October 17, the agency will host a roundtable at its Washington headquarters to address financial surveillance and privacy-preserving technologies.
The roundtable builds on earlier initiatives, including the Spring Accelerate Crypto Clarity meetings and the President’s Executive Order on Digital Assets. It also follows recommendations from the President’s Working Group on Digital Assets. Commissioner Hester Peirce will lead the session, which is expected to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and privacy technology developers.
A Growing Policy Conversation
The SEC created the Crypto Task Force in January to improve clarity in digital asset regulation. Since then, the group has hosted multiple public roundtables. The October event will be the sixth roundtable since former Chairman Gary Gensler left the agency.
Commissioner Peirce emphasized the importance of understanding privacy-protecting tools. She noted that these technologies enable individuals to dictate how and when to share financial data. Peirce also said that these tools play a very important role in safeguarding citizens against bad actors and providing freedom in monetary transactions.
Recent advances in privacy-preserving technologies that include zero-knowledge proofs and decentralized identifiers will be mentioned in the discussion. The policymakers also hope that the conversation will enable the regulators to develop frameworks that can facilitate innovation without compromising protection. The in-person attendance will require registration, but the SEC will stream the event on the SEC site.
Regulation, Privacy, and Innovation
The timing of the roundtable comes as regulators weigh significant policy changes. Recently, the SEC introduced exemptions and safe harbors for some crypto asset offerings. It also implied the changes in the rules of financial responsibility of broker-dealers, which may alleviate the load of companies conducting business in the U.S.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is also revisiting its approach to digital assets. Acting Chair Caroline Pham said the agency will follow White House guidance on crypto policy. Both agencies have recently softened enforcement actions and dropped several investigations, signaling a shift toward dialogue and collaboration.
Related: SEC & CFTC Propose 24/7 Crypto Trading for U.S. Markets
Lawmakers in Congress are also pushing forward with comprehensive digital asset legislation. Senator Cynthia Lummis said the proposed Responsible Financial Innovation Act could become law before 2026. The bill would create a clearer market structure and clarify oversight between the SEC and CFTC.
By hosting the October roundtable, the SEC is creating space for stakeholders to debate financial surveillance and privacy. The event will explore the way in which regulations can protect the financial system without infringing upon the liberties of individuals. The outcomes may influence how the U.S. positions itself in the global race for fintech leadership.
Preceding the roundtable, Commissioner Peirce will speak at DC Fintech Week and the DC Privacy Summit. These events continue the ongoing conversation around digital assets, privacy rights, and the future of financial technology in America. They signal how policymakers are working to balance transparency with individual rights as crypto adoption grows.
