Crypto, tokenization and ETFs: SEC’s Peirce indicates openness
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce has expressed a willingness to collaborate with Wall Street in developing new exchange-traded fund products linked to cryptocurrencies and tokenization. In an exclusive interview with “ETF Edge” host Dominic Chu, Peirce emphasized the importance of innovation in the financial markets.
“We want to work with people on new products,” Peirce stated. “It really is a come in and talk to us about what you’re trying to do. We want to work with you toward being able to experiment to see whether the market wants your products.”
During the VettaFi’s Exchange 2026 conference in Las Vegas, Peirce highlighted the significance of regulating this rapidly evolving sector. She acknowledged the growing interest in tokenization of financial instruments and the shifting attitudes towards crypto and blockchain technologies.
“It’s not the SEC’s job to decide… how the market moves forward,” Peirce explained. “But tokenization is one of those areas that since the administration changed and since the attitude toward crypto and blockchain changed, people have come to us and they’ve said, ‘We really think tokenization has potential here.'”
Peirce also touched upon the importance of prioritizing retail investor accessibility as new ETFs enter the market. She emphasized the SEC’s role in ensuring investor protection and transparency in the disclosure of risks associated with these products.
“We want to do it [work with issuers] in a way that respects investor protection,” Peirce emphasized. “It’s not our job to say which products are good or bad. It is our job to work with sponsors to make sure that they’re disclosing what those products are, what the risks are [and] what they’re intended to be used for.”
As the financial landscape continues to evolve, Peirce’s openness to collaboration and innovation signals a positive step towards fostering a dynamic and competitive market environment. Stay tuned for further developments in the exciting world of cryptocurrency and tokenized assets.
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