SEC’s Nationwide Crypto Outreach: Shaping Digital Asset Regulation with Startups

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched a strategic series of nationwide roundtables, directly engaging with nascent cryptocurrency projects. This proactive initiative, spearheaded by SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce and the agency’s dedicated Crypto Working Group, seeks to cultivate a deeper understanding of the evolving digital asset ecosystem. By directly soliciting input from its most dynamic and often underrepresented participants, the SEC aims to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework that accurately reflects the diverse realities and operational challenges faced by industry innovators.

• The U.S. SEC has initiated a nationwide series of strategic roundtables.
• The initiative is led by SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce and the agency’s Crypto Working Group.
• It specifically targets smaller cryptocurrency ventures, defined as having fewer than 10 employees and established less than two years ago.
• The tour spans 10 U.S. cities, commencing August 4th in Berkeley, California, and concluding December 5th in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
• The SEC plans to publicly disclose the list of participating startups from these closed-door meetings.

Targeting Emerging Ventures

This current engagement specifically focuses on smaller, younger ventures within the cryptocurrency sector. The SEC has articulated a particular interest in connecting with projects comprising fewer than 10 employees and established less than two years ago. The rationale behind this targeted approach is to ensure that the voices of startups, which may not have previously had the opportunity to participate in consultations held in Washington D.C., are adequately heard. Commissioner Peirce underscored that a nuanced understanding of these grassroots operations is critical for crafting any future regulatory structure, given its far-reaching implications for the industry’s trajectory.

Nationwide Engagement Tour

The working group’s extensive itinerary encompasses visits to 10 cities across the United States. This multi-city tour commenced on August 4th in Berkeley, California, and is slated to conclude on December 5th in Ann Arbor, Michigan, thereby providing broad geographic coverage for stakeholder engagement.

Date	City	State
August 4	Berkeley	California
August 19	Boston	Massachusetts
September 4	Dallas	Texas
September 15	Chicago	Illinois
September 25	New York	New York
October 3	Irvine	California
October 24	Cleveland	Ohio
October 29	Scottsdale	Arizona
November 12	New York	New York
December 5	Ann Arbor	Michigan

Fostering Transparency and Future Regulations

In a concerted effort to foster transparency and build trust within the burgeoning digital asset community, the SEC has declared its intention to publicly disclose the list of selected startups participating in these confidential meetings. This current series of discussions builds upon previous regulatory dialogues, including specialized roundtables that have addressed various facets of cryptocurrency trading. By actively engaging with a diverse array of stakeholders, the SEC aims to gather crucial insights that will inform the development of pragmatic and effective regulations, ultimately shaping the landscape for innovation and investor protection within the dynamic digital asset sector.