Regulators and Tech Experts Weigh Privacy vs. Oversight in Crypto Era

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Crypto Task Force is set to host a public roundtable on financial surveillance and privacy on October 17, 2025, at the SEC headquarters in Washington, D.C. The event, scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., will bring together experts in privacy-protecting technologies and regulators to discuss the development and implications of tools that safeguard individual financial data. The roundtable follows a series of initiatives under the Spring Sprint Toward Crypto Clarity and the President’s Executive Order on Digital Assets, which emphasized the need for clear regulatory frameworks while promoting innovation and economic liberty [1].

Commissioner Hester M. Peirce emphasized the importance of privacy technologies in enabling individuals to control the sharing of sensitive data, a key concern for financial regulators working on policy solutions in the crypto space. The roundtable is expected to address policy matters related to financial surveillance, including the role of technology in balancing privacy with regulatory oversight. The discussion will be streamed live on SEC.gov, with a recording to be posted afterward. The agenda and list of speakers will be made public in the coming weeks [1].

This event marks another step in the SEC’s ongoing efforts to define a regulatory approach for digital assets. Established in January 2025, the Crypto Task Force aims to draw clear lines in regulation, craft sensible disclosure frameworks, and allocate enforcement resources effectively. The roundtable aligns with the SEC’s broader strategy to support U.S. leadership in financial technology while ensuring investor protection and market integrity [1].

Separately, the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have released a joint statement exploring the feasibility of shifting U.S. financial markets toward a 24/7 trading model, mirroring the continuous trading nature of the crypto market. The regulators acknowledged that such a shift could align U.S. markets with a global, always-on economy, but noted that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be suitable for all asset classes. The proposal also includes regulatory clarity for perpetual futures and event contracts, which are commonly traded offshore [3].

The joint statement also referenced the importance of self-custody rights in the digital assets space, affirming that Americans are free to manage their own assets. In a related move, the CFTC has outlined a pathway for offshore crypto exchanges to serve U.S. clients through the Foreign Board of Trade (FBOT) framework, expanding regulatory access to global marketplaces [3]. Additionally, both agencies are considering the development of quantum-resistant architectures to protect digital assets from future threats posed by quantum computing [3].

Together, these initiatives reflect a coordinated approach to modernizing U.S. financial regulation in response to the evolving digital economy. The SEC and CFTC are increasingly collaborating as the boundaries between traditional and digital finance blur, signaling a shift toward a more integrated regulatory framework for the 21st century [3].

Source:

[1] SEC Newsroom (https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-114-sec-crypto-task-force-host-roundtable-financial-surveillance-privacy)

[2] MLex (https://www.mlex.com/mlex/financial-services/articles/2385645/us-sec-crypto-task-force-to-host-roundtable-on-financial-surveillance-privacy)

[3] Coin Telegraph (https://cointelegraph.com/news/sec-cftc-statement-24-7-capital-markets)

[4] Yahoo Finance (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wall-street-may-soon-trade-183522452.html)