SEC Crypto Task Force to Hold Public Roundtable on Financial Privacy and Surveillance on 17 October

SEC Crypto Task Force To Examine Financial Privacy In Public Roundtable

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is ramping up its scrutiny of digital finance with a public roundtable focused on financial privacy and surveillance, scheduled for 17 October from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the agency’s Washington, D.C. headquarters.

The event, hosted by the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, will bring together experts developing tools aimed at protecting individual financial data while also exploring the regulatory challenges posed by emerging technologies.

Can Technology Protect Financial Privacy Without Hindering Oversight

SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce, who leads the task force, highlighted the importance of privacy tools in digital finance, stating:

“Technology that helps Americans protect their privacy is critically important as it enables people to choose when and with whom to share sensitive data about themselves so they can be protected from bad actors.”

The discussion will also cover how these technologies intersect with policy solutions, offering regulators insight as they shape rules affecting crypto assets.

Hester M. Peirce is a Commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) who is well-known for her public advocacy for clearer cryptocurrency regulation.

The session will feature panellists at the forefront of privacy-focused financial technologies, providing a forum to explore how innovation can coexist with protections against fraud and illicit activity.

Participation is open to the public, with registration required and security screening in line with federal protocols.

For wider accessibility, the SEC will also live-stream the roundtable and provide recordings.

Are U.S. Regulators Softening Their Approach To Crypto

The roundtable comes amid broader regulatory adjustments.

Since early 2025, both the SEC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have signalled a shift toward clearer guidance and reduced enforcement pressure.

Proposed rule changes from the SEC include exemptions and safe harbours for crypto offerings and adjustments to broker-dealer financial responsibility rules, easing regulatory burdens for U.S.-operating crypto firms.

Meanwhile, the CFTC, under Acting Chair Caroline Pham, has indicated alignment with White House guidance on crypto policy.

Both agencies have also announced plans to explore 24/7 market operations, coordinated oversight of spot crypto trading, and updated rules for crypto derivatives, reflecting the recommendations of the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets released in July.

How The Crypto Task Force Is Shaping Policy

Since its launch in January under acting SEC Chairman Mark T. Uyeda, the Crypto Task Force has focused on defining regulatory boundaries for digital assets, developing registration pathways, and enhancing disclosure requirements.

The task force’s efforts now extend to understanding financial privacy tools, highlighting the agency’s increasing engagement with both innovation and investor protection.

Commissioner Peirce will also address privacy and fintech themes at upcoming industry gatherings, including DC Fintech Week and the DC Privacy Summit, emphasising the growing importance of safeguarding individual data within financial innovation.

Will Enhanced Oversight Protect U.S. Markets From Fraud

The SEC’s roundtable follows the recent creation of a Cross-Border Task Force aimed at tackling transnational fraud and market manipulation.

SEC Chair Paul Atkins noted that the new team will consolidate investigative resources and target gatekeepers that enable foreign entities to access U.S. capital markets, particularly underwriters and auditors.

As the SEC continues to convene experts and evaluate technological tools, the roundtable on 17 October represents a critical step in aligning regulatory policy with emerging privacy solutions in the rapidly evolving crypto landscape.