SEC to Hold Crypto Privacy Roundtable on December 15th

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has rescheduled its highly anticipated crypto privacy and surveillance roundtable to December 15. The event, originally planned for October, will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at SEC headquarters in Washington, with a public webcast available.

Commissioner Hester M. Peirce stated that the rapid advancement of technology provides an opportunity to update oversight frameworks.

“New technologies allow us to recalibrate financial surveillance measures in a way that protects both national security and the liberties that define America,” she emphasized, highlighting the crucial roles of regulators, developers, and the public in the dialogue.

What to Expect

The roundtable will convene privacy researchers, federal regulators, blockchain developers, and industry leaders to discuss how crypto companies handle, secure, and manage user data, and how oversight can be strengthened without impeding innovation.

Key topics include exchange surveillance tools, companies’ data protection responsibilities, and the risks associated with excessive data collection. As blockchain adoption expands, the SEC aims to reassess long-term privacy expectations for a rapidly growing user base.

Growing Pressure on Crypto Platforms

The timing coincides with mounting criticism of how crypto platforms monitor users. Traditional financial institutions like Citadel have advocated for increased oversight, particularly in DeFi, raising privacy concerns.

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While many exchanges utilize advanced monitoring systems to detect fraud and illicit activities, critics argue that these tools often collect excessive personal data. The December roundtable aims to assess the proportionality, transparency, and alignment with user privacy expectations of current surveillance practices.

Defining Future U.S. Crypto Privacy Standards

The insights gathered from the session will guide the development of future U.S. crypto privacy policies. The objective is not to hinder technological advancements, but to promote secure and balanced practices that safeguard users while fostering innovation.

Public feedback will be solicited to allow individuals and companies to shape regulatory directions. The SEC’s Crypto Task Force is collaborating with the CFTC to establish a more cohesive policy approach. Given the tightening reporting requirements by global regulators, the December 15 roundtable could significantly influence the definition of digital asset privacy in the coming years.

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