Hester Peirce Appears Not to Endorse OpenVPP Energy Token Project; Crypto Task Force Roundtables May Spark Confusion

• Peirce publicly denied endorsements after an OpenVPP post implied support.

• SEC task force outreach targets early-stage crypto firms to inform regulation without endorsing projects.

• Roundtable schedule includes New York, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Scottsdale, Atlanta, and Ann Arbor; outreach aims to capture underrepresented startup voices.

Hester Peirce endorsement denial: SEC commissioner denies endorsing OpenVPP; read the clarification and task force context from COINOTAG.

What did Hester Peirce say about endorsements?

Hester Peirce endorsement was explicitly denied by the SEC commissioner after OpenVPP’s announcement suggested collaboration. Peirce stated she did not endorse private cryptocurrency projects or firms and emphasized her role in outreach and regulatory engagement, not project promotion.

How did OpenVPP present the relationship to Hester Peirce?

OpenVPP posted that it was working “alongside” Peirce on tokenization of energy and shared a photo with Peirce and CEO Parth Kapadia. The social media post carried promotional framing. The SEC response clarified participation in dialogue, not official support.

Why did the SEC task force meet with startups?

SEC engagement with early-stage crypto firms is intended to gather practical feedback to shape proportionate regulation. The task force, led by Commissioner Peirce, prioritizes startups with 10 or fewer employees to ensure smaller voices are represented in policy discussions.

What cities will the task force visit and why does that matter?

The roundtable tour schedule includes New York City, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Scottsdale, Atlanta, and Ann Arbor. These locations were selected to capture geographic and sectoral diversity, helping regulators collect varied operational perspectives from startups and local markets.

How to tell outreach from endorsement?

• Official statement: Endorsements are explicit in regulator statements; absence of such language indicates outreach.
• Event role: Participation as a speaker or panelist typically signals engagement, not endorsement.
• Promotional intent: Project marketing language on social media can overstate relationships; verify with regulator channels.

Comparison: Outreach vs. Endorsement

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the SEC officially approve or endorse OpenVPP?

No. The SEC did not approve or endorse OpenVPP. Commissioner Peirce clarified her involvement as participation in outreach and policy discussions, not as a promotional endorsement.

Can photos with regulators be interpreted as endorsements?

Photos alone do not constitute an endorsement. Photographs from public meetings or roundtables are common; official endorsement requires explicit language from the regulator or agency.

Key Takeaways

• Clarification: Peirce denied endorsing OpenVPP; participation was outreach-focused.
• Task force aim: The SEC’s crypto task force seeks input from very small startups to inform regulation.
• Verification steps: Always check regulator statements and event context before treating promotional posts as endorsements.

Conclusion

The SEC’s Hester Peirce reaffirmed that outreach and participation in industry events do not equal endorsements of private cryptocurrency projects. As the task force continues its roundtables across major U.S. cities, observers should rely on official SEC communications for confirmation of any formal support. COINOTAG will monitor updates and publish verifiable statements as they become available.