Berkeley, California – Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Hester Peirce, widely known as "Crypto Mom" for her pro-innovation stance on digital assets, surprised attendees at the Science of Blockchain Conference (SBC25) by quoting from "A Cypherpunk's Manifesto." The unexpected reference, highlighted by a tweet from Dmitriy Berenzon, underscored the ongoing tension between regulatory oversight and the foundational principles of cryptographic privacy. The conference, held from August 3-7, 2025, at UC Berkeley, focuses on technical innovations within the blockchain ecosystem.
"Hester Peirce just quoted a cypherpunk's manifesto at #sbc25. Did not think this day would come," Dmitriy Berenzon stated in his tweet, capturing the sentiment of many observers.
"A Cypherpunk's Manifesto," penned by Eric Hughes in 1993, is a seminal text advocating for privacy through strong cryptography and the development of anonymous systems. The manifesto famously declares, "Cypherpunks write code. We know that someone has to write software to defend privacy," and "Cypherpunks deplore regulations on cryptography, for encryption is fundamentally a private act." Its core message emphasizes individual liberty and the power of technology to protect privacy against governmental or corporate intrusion.
Commissioner Peirce has consistently been a vocal advocate for clear and innovation-friendly regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrencies, often dissenting from the SEC's enforcement-first approach. She has frequently expressed concerns that the U.S. has fallen behind in crypto regulation, pushing for a "sensible regulatory path" that fosters growth rather than stifling it. Her leadership of the SEC's new Crypto Task Force further signals her commitment to reshaping the agency's engagement with the digital asset space.
Her decision to quote a document that champions privacy and resists regulation at a prominent blockchain event is seen by many as a symbolic nod to the industry's foundational ethos. This move reinforces her reputation as a regulator who understands and, to some extent, sympathizes with the decentralized and privacy-centric ideals that underpin much of the crypto world. The quote serves as a powerful statement in the ongoing debate about how best to balance innovation with investor protection in the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape.