SEC commissioner Hester Peirce advocates for crypto self-custody and financial privacy, calling it a fundamental human right. She criticizes the presumption that wanting privacy means wrongdoing, emphasizing the importance of online financial privacy. The Digital Asset Market Structure Clarity Act, including provisions for self-custody, anti-money laundering regulations, and asset taxonomy, is delayed until 2026.

Bitcoin whales and long-term holders are shifting from self-custody to ETFs to benefit from tax advantages and easier management. Dr. Martin Hiesboeck notes the first decline in self-custodied Bitcoin in 15 years, attributing it to the SEC’s approval of in-kind creations and redemptions for crypto ETFs. Notable analyst PlanB transferred his Bitcoin to ETFs in February, sparking debate over core Bitcoin values and custody.

Read more at Cointelegraph: SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce ‘Baffled’ That Self-Custody is Even Debated