This the full text of SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce's speech this week at the Science of Blockchain Conference on the importance of preserving individuals' access to disintermediating technologies such as E2EE (and by implication, bitcoin - money is speech after all). Well worth a read if only to get an understanding of the senior US securities regulator's refreshing view on the 4th Amendment. Love that she quotes Eric Hughes' statement in the Cypherpunk's Manifesto about not expecting governments, corporations, or other large, faceless organizations to grant us privacy. He goes on to write, importantly, that "*We* must defend our own privacy if we expect to have any." I don't think most people realise this - self-help is key, here. If you want financial privacy, the tools already exist for you achieve it. Use them. #privacy #bitcoin

SEC.gov | Peanut Butter & Watermelon: Financial Privacy in the Digital Age

Peanut Butter & Watermelon: Financial Privacy in the Digital Age Science of Blockchain Conference Commissioner Hester M. Peirce August 4, 2025