SEC Cryptocurrency Working Group visits Miami for research on January 27, Hester Peirce promotes new US cryptocurrency regulation approaches

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is accelerating the development of a clearer cryptocurrency regulatory framework. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce recently confirmed that her led Cryptocurrency Working Group will visit Miami before to meet face-to-face with local cryptocurrency project builders and early startup teams. This move is seen as an important signal of the U.S. crypto regulatory policy shifting from “enforcement-first” to “communication and rule clarification.”

According to information posted by Hester Peirce on the X platform, the focus of the SEC Cryptocurrency Working Group’s visit is to listen to the real needs and regulatory pain points of small, early-stage crypto projects. She publicly invites community members to submit project summaries via the official email, hoping to gain deeper insight into the practical challenges blockchain startups face in compliance, fundraising, and product implementation. This also indicates that the SEC is trying to incorporate more feedback from frontline builders before formulating digital asset regulations.

This trip to Miami is part of the SEC’s nationwide “Crypto Regulation Tour.” Previously, on December 15, 2025, the SEC held a Financial Privacy Roundtable, focusing on financial monitoring and data privacy issues. As the cryptocurrency market continues to expand, the SEC believes that relying solely on traditional enforcement methods is no longer sufficient to cope with the rapidly evolving digital asset ecosystem.

Under the leadership of new Chair Paul Atkins, the SEC’s regulatory approach is changing. Atkins explicitly stated that cryptocurrencies have become one of the SEC’s priorities, and its regulation will focus more on rule clarity and predictability rather than post-fact enforcement. This stance contrasts sharply with that of former Chair Gary Gensler’s enforcement-centered regulatory style and is interpreted by the market as a more crypto-friendly signal.

However, the SEC Cryptocurrency Working Group’s research activities are not without controversy. Some community members believe that frequent roundtable meetings and solicitations for opinions may slow down policy implementation or even be seen as formalism. Critics argue that instead of repeatedly holding hearings, the SEC should use legislative tools to directly simplify compliance processes and reduce regulatory costs for startups.

Nevertheless, supporters generally believe that the SEC stepping out of Washington and actively engaging with Miami and other crypto hubs is a positive change. Through direct interaction with industry leaders, developers, and community members, regulators have the opportunity to better understand the real operational logic of blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and digital asset markets, laying the foundation for a more transparent and enforceable U.S. crypto regulatory framework in the future.