SEC Issues 2 Press Releases on Crypto Task Force Initiatives
March 3, 2025
As of March 5, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken significant steps toward addressing the regulatory landscape for crypto assets, as detailed in two recent press releases from its newsroom. These announcements, dated March 3, 2025, outline the establishment of a Crypto Task Force staff and the launch of a series of roundtables aimed at fostering clarity in crypto regulation.
Press Release 2025-49: Commissioner Hester Peirce Announces Crypto Task Force Staff
The first press release, accessible at https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-49, announces the formation of the Crypto Task Force staff, a group tasked with advising the SEC on crypto-related matters. Published on March 3, 2025, from Washington, D.C., the release highlights the SEC’s intent to shift from a predominantly enforcement-driven approach to a more transparent and collaborative regulatory framework. SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce, who is leading the task force, emphasized the group’s expertise and commitment to finding “workable solutions to difficult crypto regulatory problems.” This initiative follows Acting Chairman Mark T. Uyeda’s announcement on January 21, 2025, of the task force’s creation, signaling a strategic pivot in the agency’s approach to crypto assets.
The Crypto Task Force comprises staff from various SEC divisions, bringing diverse perspectives to the table. The complete list of members is as follows:
- Richard Gabbert, Chief of Staff
- Michael Selig, Chief Counsel
- Taylor Asher, Chief Policy Advisor
- Laura D’Allaird, Senior Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies
- Elizabeth Goody, Senior Advisor, Division of Corporation Finance
- Jennifer Songer, Senior Advisor, Division of Investment Management
- Brian Chernoff, Senior Advisor, Division of Examinations
- Jonathan Ehrlich, Senior Advisor, Division of Trading and Markets
- Valerie Szczepanik, Senior Advisor, Division of Enforcement
These individuals, drawn from the Acting Chairman’s office and other SEC units, are poised to collaborate with agency staff and the public to craft sensible regulatory policies. The release underscores the task force’s role in addressing longstanding issues, such as registration clarity for crypto entities, which have been elusive under previous enforcement-heavy strategies.
Press Release 2025-51: SEC Crypto Task Force to Host Roundtable on Security Status
The second press release, found at https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-51, details the Crypto Task Force’s plan to host a series of roundtables titled “Spring Sprint Toward Crypto Clarity.” Also issued on March 3, 2025, from Washington, D.C., this announcement focuses on the inaugural event, “How We Got Here and How We Get Out – Defining Security Status,” scheduled for March 21, 2025. The roundtable will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the SEC’s headquarters at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., and will be open to the public with a live stream available. In-person attendance may be limited, and security checks will be enforced for visitors.
This series aims to explore key regulatory questions surrounding crypto assets, starting with the contentious issue of defining their security status—a topic that has fueled debates and legal battles within the industry. The SEC’s prior reliance on enforcement actions, such as the now-dismissed case against Coinbase (referenced in the release and detailed at https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-44), has drawn criticism for lacking public engagement. The roundtable initiative reflects a commitment to rectify this by fostering dialogue with stakeholders.
Contextual Links and Broader Implications
Both releases reference earlier SEC actions, including the formation of the Crypto Task Force announced on January 21, 2025 (see https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-11), and the dismissal of the Coinbase enforcement action on February 27, 2025 (see https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-44). These steps indicate a broader shift toward proactive regulation, supported by the newly established Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit (CETU), announced on February 20, 2025 (https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-39), which complements the task force’s efforts.
Together, these initiatives mark a pivotal moment for the SEC as it seeks to balance investor protection with innovation in the rapidly evolving crypto space. The task force and roundtables represent a collaborative approach, leveraging expertise and public input to navigate the complexities of crypto regulation as of March 5, 2025.
The article “SEC Issues 2 Press Releases on Crypto Task Force Initiatives” first appeared on DigitalAsset.Law on March 3, 2025.
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