SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce: Self-custody of crypto assets is a fundamental right

According to Cointelegraph, U.S. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce stated in a podcast interview that the "self-custody" of crypto assets and financial privacy are fundamental human rights. She emphasized, "Why should I be forced to have someone else hold my assets? … People should have the right to hold their own assets."

She noted that in a country like the United States, which emphasizes freedom, it is perplexing to mandate asset custody with third parties, and online financial privacy should be the default state, not the default public. These remarks come as the CLARITY Act is delayed for consideration until 2026, a bill that was originally planned to include provisions on the "right to self-custody" of crypto assets, anti-money laundering rules, asset classification, and more. Meanwhile, the industry has observed that with the launch of various crypto ETFs, some large holders and long-term investors are shifting from "self-custodying coins" to "holding in ETF form" to enjoy tax benefits and avoid the hassle of private key management. There are concerns that this may gradually undermine the crypto community's long-emphasized principle of "wallet equals sovereignty."