SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce Defends Self-Custody and Privacy in Crypto as CLARITY Act Delays Review to 2026

COINOTAG News reported on November 30, citing Cointelegraph, that SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce frames self-custody of crypto assets and financial privacy as fundamental rights in the evolving regulatory debate. Peirce argues individuals should control their own holdings rather than rely on third-party custodians, urging that online privacy be treated as the default in digital finance.

During the interview, she stated, “Why should I be forced to custody my assets through someone else? People should have the right to self-custody their assets,” underscoring a policy stance that privacy and direct asset control must remain central for market participants.

The remarks align with ongoing scrutiny of the CLARITY Act (Crypto Market Structure Act), which has been delayed until 2026. The legislation was designed to address self-custody rights, anti-money laundering rules, asset classification, and other regulatory measures to clarify crypto market structure.