SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce Advocates for Crypto Self-Custody and Financial Privacy

US Securities and Exchange Commissioner Hester Peirce has reaffirmed her stance on cryptocurrency self-custody, framing it as a fundamental freedom. Speaking on The Rollup podcast, Peirce criticized the growing suspicion around financial privacy, arguing that individuals should not be compelled to rely on intermediaries to manage their assets.

"Of course people can hold their own assets," Peirce asserted, questioning why such a principle WOULD be contentious in a nation built on personal liberty. She emphasized that financial privacy should be the default, not an indicator of illicit activity. "If you want to keep your transactions private, the assumption shouldn’t be that you’re doing something illegal," she said.

Her comments come amid delays in US crypto legislation and a shift in investor behavior as ETFs gain traction, potentially drawing attention away from self-custody solutions. Peirce's remarks highlight a deepening ideological divide in regulatory approaches to digital assets.