SEC’s Hester Peirce: Crypto Self-Custody Is a Fundamental Right
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce reiterated that self-custody of crypto assets and financial privacy represent fundamental rights, framing them as consistent with the pro-freedom principles on which the United States was founded. Speaking Nov. 29, 2025, Peirce emphasized the importance of preserving individual control over private keys and warned against regulatory approaches that could unduly restrict users’ ability to hold and manage their own assets. The remarks add weight to an ongoing policy conversation about custody rules, consumer protection, and the future of decentralized finance. Industry participants and privacy advocates say Peirce’s stance supports innovation and user sovereignty, while regulators balancing fraud prevention and market stability may see renewed pressure to justify custody-focused measures. For investors and developers, the message underscores that legal debates over custody and privacy will remain central to the sector’s regulatory trajectory.