
Unchained SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce on BitMEX, DeFi and a Token Safe Harbor - Ep.194
Oct 13, 2020
Hester Peirce, known as "Crypto Mom," is a prominent SEC Commissioner advocating at the crossroads of crypto and regulation. In this discussion, she shares insights on her dissent regarding the Unikrn settlement and her vision for a token safe harbor. Peirce delves into the classification of airdrops, the potential of DeFi governance tokens as securities, and whether existing laws can adapt to the evolving crypto landscape. She also touches on the future of Bitcoin ETFs and the implications of the BitMEX case on the industry.
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Heavy-Handed Settlement
- Commissioner Peirce dissented in the Unikrn settlement, finding the penalty too harsh for a registration violation without fraud.
- Depriving a firm of all assets for a non-fraudulent registration violation discourages innovation.
Safe Harbor 2.0
- Commissioner Peirce is working on version 2.0 of her token safe harbor proposal.
- It aims to incorporate feedback, including stronger protections for token purchasers.
Airdrops and Securities Law
- Airdrops, even when giving tokens away for free, can still fall under securities laws.
- The SEC needs to provide better guidance, as different token distribution methods emerge.

