Commissioner Hester M. Peirce, affectionately known as “Crypto Mom” within the digital currency community, has issued a passionate and public dissent against a recent enforcement action carried out by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This action resulted in the unfortunate shutdown of LBRY, a blockchain company that had garnered substantial support in the crypto world.

The LBRY, Inc. (“LBRY”) case has raised significant concerns for Commissioner Peirce, who has long been an advocate for sensible and balanced regulation within the cryptocurrency space. In her statement, she expressed her unease over the SEC’s decision to bring the case against LBRY and its subsequent legal battle, which ultimately led to the company’s closure.

Commissioner Peirce’s concerns stem from the belief that the SEC’s enforcement-driven approach to crypto regulation may sometimes seem arbitrary and lack a clear understanding of the industry’s nuances. While acknowledging the existence of fraudulent crypto projects that failed to fulfill their promises, she finds it puzzling that the SEC chose to target LBRY, which took a more conservative approach in its token offering.

LBRY had a functioning blockchain with a real-world application that allowed for data sharing, content creator control, and a more censorship-resistant environment. They built a popular platform for sharing videos and media on their open-source blockchain, making it available for others to use. According to Commissioner Peirce, there was no evidence of fraud in LBRY’s case, making it a perplexing choice for SEC enforcement action.

Moreover, the SEC’s approach in this case appeared excessively harsh. After winning on summary judgment, the Commission initially sought monetary remedies of $44 million and expressed dissatisfaction with LBRY’s offer to burn all tokens in its possession as a preventive measure. This approach seemed out of proportion to the potential harm caused. Eventually, the Commission reduced its penalty request to $111,614, which the court approved.

The question of how the securities laws should apply to token projects remains unclear, and there is no straightforward path for companies like LBRY to register their functional token offerings. Commissioner Peirce argues that LBRY made significant disclosures outside of the registration process, which were not alleged to be fraudulent or misleading. This suggests that investors likely had adequate information to assess their investment risk, rendering the SEC’s actions unnecessary and counterproductive.

Furthermore, Commissioner Peirce points out that the time and resources expended on this case could have been better used to develop a regulatory framework for blockchain companies like LBRY to follow. Allowing the market to decide LBRY’s fate would have been a more suitable approach, in her view.

The consequences of the SEC’s actions have forced a group of entrepreneurs to abandon their blockchain project. Commissioner Peirce worries that this disproportionate reaction may discourage individuals from experimenting with blockchain technology, a vital tool for enabling dissent and innovation.

Stuart Alderoty, General Counsel of Ripple, echoed Commissioner Peirce’s concerns. He expressed his gratitude for her stance and highlighted the injustice of the SEC targeting non-fraudulent cases while genuine frauds remain unaddressed. Alderoty suggested the possibility of using amicus briefs, legal documents submitted by non-parties with a strong interest in a case’s outcome, as a way to raise more vigorous objections and challenge the SEC’s actions.

In conclusion, Commissioner Hester M. Peirce, the “Crypto Mom,” has raised important questions about the SEC’s approach to crypto regulation, using the LBRY case as a prime example. Her dissent underscores the need for a more balanced and thoughtful approach to regulation in the cryptocurrency space. Her stance, supported by voices like Stuart Alderoty, calls for a reconsideration of the SEC’s enforcement strategies to foster innovation and protect investors effectively.

Source: https://azcoinnews.com/crypto-mom-commissioner-peirce-challenges-sec-over-lbry-enforcement.html