Episode 25 A Regulator’s View of Crypto

Episode 25: A Regulator’s View of Crypto

Episode 25

A Regulator’s View of Crypto

Hester Peirce is an SEC Commissioner. We cover her moniker of "Crypto Mom", how best to regulate crypto, and what she's most excited about in this space.

This episode is brought to you by:

Coinbase Prime. Coinbase Prime combines advanced trading, battle-tested custody, financing, and prime services in a single solution. Clients have used our comprehensive investing platform to execute some of the largest trades in the industry because they are the only publicly-traded company with experience trading and custodying crypto assets at scale. Get started with Coinbase Prime today at coinbase.com/prime.

[00:02:15] - [First question] - The role of a regulator and the relationship between a regulator and the sector or product they oversee

[00:04:29] - Her thoughts on how regulators are more like lifeguards than parents

[00:05:36] - Striking a balance that allows innovation to thrive instead of suppressing it

[00:07:17] - Overview of the 3 pronged approach of the SEC’s crypto mission

[00:08:41] - The tension of new capital formation and retail investor exposure

[00:10:15] - Being painted as an entirely fraudulent industry full of bad actors

[00:11:18] - What it’s like working inside of the seeming blackbox that is the SEC

[00:13:33] - How many of the 4,500 employees are dedicated to crypto and finances

[00:14:19] - Internal debates and public meetings amongst the commissioners  

[00:16:18] - Ways the commissioners learn about crypto being unable to participate in it

[00:17:36] - Whether or not there are restrictions on crypto ownership for the rest of the SEC

[00:20:38] - Managing the entrepreneurial spirit as we navigate the legalities of crypto

[00:23:16] - How revolutionary it would be if TradFi transactions were on a public blockchain 

[00:24:40] - The Safe Harbor proposal and how Safe Harbors work in the SEC

[00:26:29] - Risky corporate assets and how blockchains could have averted the 2008 crisis

[00:28:47] - Difficulties of being a regulator and respecting the responsibility 

[00:29:56] - Self-reporting and the crypto community reporting suspicious activity

[00:32:12] - A skin-in-the-game investment that promotes self-education

[00:34:24] - Where the Safe Harbor stands and what it’ll take for it to move forward

[00:35:37] - The Howey Test and realizing we need new securities laws

[00:37:59] - Going from a security to a non-security and instruments that allow a transition

[00:39:25] - Leading a commission and if there’s a risk of losing a case

[00:43:18] - Alternative Trading Systems and Communications Protocol Systems

[00:45:03] - When the market could expect a spot Bitcoin ETF

[00:46:18] - Whether or not one can challenge a decision made by the SEC

[00:46:50] - NFT financialization and how they might need to be regulated

[00:48:12] - Her thoughts on DAOs and they’re rapid evolution

[00:50:29] - The underbanked using crypto and whether or not it impacts the SEC’s agenda

[00:51:54] - Emergence of stablecoins and her thoughts on their development

[00:53:37] - What role if any might self-regulating organizations play in the future

[00:56:35] - What she’s excited to see achieved over the rest of her term and what are some exciting dates or events she’s watching in the crypto space

A Regulator’s View of Crypto

Introduction

Eric
This is Eric Golden and my guest today is SEC commissioner Hester Peirce. Commissioner Peirce was sworn into the SEC in 2018. During her tenure she has been a vocal advocate of free markets and supporter of the crypto industry to the point where she is often referred to as crypto mom. Regulation is a huge issue for our industry and I hope you'll walk away from this discussion with a better appreciation for the nuance around protecting investors while letting innovation flourish. Please enjoy my conversation with commissioner Hester Peirce.

Regulators More Like Lifeguards than Parents

Eric
Thank you Commissioner Hester Peirce for joining me today on the Web3 Breakdowns. I'm really excited to have you.

Hester
Eric, thanks for having me. I'm excited to be here and as you know, I have to give my disclaimer, which is that my views represent my own views. Not necessarily those of the SEC or my fellow commissioners.

Access the full transcript
Sign in or register to view episode transcripts.

Contact

Get in touch at help@joincollossus.com