SEC Announces Crypto Custody Roundtable for April 25

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced that it will hold its third crypto-focused roundtable of the year on April 25, 2025. The event, titled “Know Your Custodian: Key Considerations for Crypto Custody,” will take place at the SEC headquarters in Washington D.C. from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The roundtable aims to delve into the complexities surrounding cryptocurrency custody, a critical aspect of the digital asset landscape.

The panel for this roundtable includes prominent figures from the crypto industry, such as JZ, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at Fireblocks, Terrence Dempsey, Head of Product Strategy at Fidelity Digital Assets, Brandon Russell, CEO of Etana Custody Inc., and Larry Florio, General Counsel at 1kx. The inclusion of these industry experts underscores the SEC’s commitment to involving key stakeholders in shaping regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrencies.

Commissioner Hester M. Peirce, who leads the newly formed Crypto Task Force, emphasized the importance of addressing custody issues. “It is important for the SEC to grapple with custody issues, which are some of the most challenging as we seek to integrate crypto assets into our regulatory structure,” Peirce stated. “We look forward to hearing from experts on these important issues.”

The Crypto Task Force, established under SEC Acting Chair Mark T. Uyeda in January 2025, aims to move away from the previous regulation-by-enforcement model. Instead, the task force seeks to establish clear guidelines and practical pathways for crypto regulation. The mission of the task force is to draw clear regulatory lines, provide realistic paths to registration, craft sensible disclosure frameworks, and deploy enforcement resources judiciously for the blockchain sector.

Commissioner Hester Peirce serves as the leader of the task force, with Richard Gabbert, Senior Advisor to the Acting Chairman, and Taylor Asher, Senior Policy Advisor to the Acting Chairman, serving as the Chief of Staff and Chief Policy Advisor, respectively. This shift in approach marks a departure from the previous regulatory stance under former Chair Gary Gensler, who was known for a more enforcement-focused strategy.

The creation of the Crypto Task Force aligns with the broader regulatory environment, which has seen a push for more collaborative and transparent approaches to digital asset regulation. The roundtable on April 25 is expected to provide valuable insights and foster a more informed dialogue between regulators and industry experts, paving the way for a more structured and effective regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies.