In a recent speech, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce made a bold case for privacy in the digital age, aligning her views with those of Eric Hughes, author of the Cypherpunk Manifesto. Peirce argued that technology can protect privacy where laws fail, emphasizing the importance of allowing privacy-preserving technologies, such as cryptographic tools and decentralized networks, even if they can be misused. She criticized the third-party doctrine that allows the government to access personal banking data without warrants, suggesting that financial records should enjoy the same protections as private conversations. Peirce’s stance reflects a growing realization that privacy is essential in society, urging a communal effort to create systems for anonymous transactions. However, she acknowledges the challenge of convincing the public, which often fears that privacy could enable illicit activities. This marks a significant moment, as an SEC official openly champions the cypherpunk ethos of privacy.

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