Bitget App
Trade smarter
Buy cryptoMarketsTradeFuturesEarnSquareMore
Crypto self-custody is a fundamental right, says SEC's Hester Peirce

Crypto self-custody is a fundamental right, says SEC's Hester Peirce

CryptoNewsNetCryptoNewsNet2025/11/29 21:42
By:cointelegraph.com

Hester Peirce, a commissioner of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and head of the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, reaffirmed the right to crypto self-custody and privacy in financial transactions.

“I’m a freedom maximalist,” Peirce told The Rollup podcast on Friday, while saying that self-custody of assets is a fundamental human right. She added:

“Why should I have to be forced to go through someone else to hold my assets? It baffles me that in this country, which is so premised on freedom, that would even be an issue — of course, people can hold their own assets.”
Crypto self-custody is a fundamental right, says SEC's Hester Peirce image 0
SEC commissioner Hester Peirce discusses the right to self-custody and financial privacy. Source: The Rollup

Peirce added that online financial privacy should be the standard. “It has become the presumption that if you want to keep your transactions private, you're doing something wrong, but it should be exactly the opposite presumption,” she said.

The comments came as the Digital Asset Market Structure Clarity Act, a crypto market structure bill that includes provisions for self-custody, anti-money laundering(AML) regulations, and asset taxonomy, is delayed until 2026, according to Senator Tim Scott.

Related: SEC to hold privacy and financial surveillance roundtable in December

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) challenge Bitcoin’s self-custody ethos

Many large Bitcoin (BTC) whales and long-term holders are pivoting from self-custody to ETFs to reap the tax benefits and hassle-free management of owning crypto in an investment vehicle.

“We are witnessing the first decline in self-custodied Bitcoin in 15 years,” Dr. Martin Hiesboeck, the head of research at crypto exchange Uphold, said.

Hiesboeck attributed the shift to the SEC approving in-kind creations and redemptions for crypto ETFs in July, which allowed authorized holders to exchange crypto for ETF shares and vice versa without triggering a taxable event, unlike cash-settled ETFs.

“A move away from the self-custody mantra of ‘not your keys, not your coins’ is another nail in the coffin of the original crypto spirit,” Hiesboeck added.

Crypto self-custody is a fundamental right, says SEC's Hester Peirce image 1
Source: Dr. Martin Heisboeck

In February, notable Bitcoin analyst and investor PlanB, the developer of the BTC stock-to-flow model, announced that he transferred his Bitcoin to ETFs to alleviate the “hassle” of private key management.

PlanB’s announcement caused an outcry in the Bitcoin community, as many voiced concerns that handing over custody to a third party clashed with Bitcoin’s core values.

Magazine: When privacy and AML laws conflict: Crypto projects’ impossible choice

0

Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

PoolX: Earn new token airdrops
Lock your assets and earn 10%+ APR
Lock now!

You may also like

Hyperliquid News Today: Institutional Activity and Token Releases Propel Crypto Market's Rebound and Growth

- Hyperliquid's 1.75M HYPE token unlock triggered a 4.6% price drop, reflecting broader market expectations amid pre-announced vesting schedules. - Nasdaq ISE seeks to elevate BlackRock's IBIT options liquidity, aligning crypto with major ETFs and signaling traditional market integration. - Binance launches tailored services for ultra-high-net-worth investors despite legal scrutiny over Hamas attack-linked transactions. - PharmaCorp's 9.4% same-store sales growth highlights investor confidence in tech-driv

Bitget-RWA2025/11/30 01:20
Hyperliquid News Today: Institutional Activity and Token Releases Propel Crypto Market's Rebound and Growth

Municipal Infrastructure Improvements and Sustainable Value Generation in Secondary Markets After the Boom

- Post-boom secondary markets leverage infrastructure upgrades to drive real estate and industrial growth, outpacing primary hubs like New York and San Francisco. - Cities like Austin (I-35 corridor) and Raleigh (RDU expansion) show how infrastructure boosts land values, reduces vacancies, and attracts tech/logistics investment. - Dallas and Atlanta exemplify measurable gains, with Dallas leading CRE rankings due to low costs and strategic connectivity, while Raleigh's diversified $8.3B pipeline ensures re

Bitget-RWA2025/11/30 01:18
Municipal Infrastructure Improvements and Sustainable Value Generation in Secondary Markets After the Boom

XRP News Update: RLUSD Connects Conventional and Digital Finance with ADGM Authorization

- Ripple's RLUSD gains ADGM approval as fiat-referenced token, enhancing institutional credibility in a tightly regulated digital finance hub. - Global stablecoin adoption accelerates via Truther's non-custodial Visa card and Klarna's KlarnaUSD, targeting seamless cross-border payments. - Cross River Bank launches unified fiat-stablecoin platform, addressing interoperability challenges in $20T+ annual stablecoin volume markets. - Regulators highlight risks in emerging markets as Brazil, India face systemic

Bitget-RWA2025/11/30 01:04
XRP News Update: RLUSD Connects Conventional and Digital Finance with ADGM Authorization

The Federal Reserve’s Change in Policy and Its Impact on New Cryptocurrency Assets

- Fed's 2025 policy shifts drive institutional capital toward Solana as central banks balance inflation control and growth amid uncertainty. - Solana's technical upgrades (Alpenglow, Firedancer) and partnerships with Visa/Western Union enhance cross-border payment infrastructure and institutional credibility. - $37.33M inflows into Solana ETFs contrast with Bitcoin/Ethereum outflows, highlighting its macroeconomic hedge role through scalable DeFi and stablecoin ecosystems. - Growing $16B stablecoin liquidi

Bitget-RWA2025/11/30 01:02
The Federal Reserve’s Change in Policy and Its Impact on New Cryptocurrency Assets