SEC Sets Dec. 15 Roundtable Agenda: Crypto Privacy, Oversight in Focus

The U.S. SEC will hold its rescheduled roundtable on financial surveillance and privacy on December 15, 2025. Originally planned for October, the event highlights growing debates over oversight and user protections in blockchain.

Experts from privacy projects like Zcash and Aleo will join regulators to discuss data collection in crypto exchanges. The roundtable could shape future policies, focusing on tools such as zero‑knowledge proofs to safeguard liberties while addressing illicit activity risks.

Event Overview and Agenda

The SEC’s Crypto Task Force will host the roundtable at its Washington, D.C., headquarters. The event is open to the public. Registration requires an online survey. A live webcast will be available on the SEC’s website.

The session runs from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. Chairman Paul S. Atkins, Commissioner Mark T. Uyeda, and Commissioner Hester M. Peirce will deliver the opening remarks. Peirce leads the task force.

The agenda features two moderated panels with a break in between. Panel 1 runs from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. It will examine emerging technologies and how they balance privacy with regulatory needs.

Panel 2 runs from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will focus on policy implications, including legal and civil liberties perspectives.

Both panels will be moderated by Yaya J. Fanusie. He is the Senior Advisor at the Crypto Council for Innovation and Global Head of Policy at Aleo Network Foundation.

The format encourages dialogue among regulators, industry leaders, and advocates. It addresses criticism of excessive data monitoring in crypto platforms.

The SEC noted the event builds on collaboration with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

Commissioner Peirce emphasized: “New technologies give us a fresh chance to recalibrate financial surveillance measures to ensure the protection of our nation and the liberties that make America unique.”

Distinguished Panelists and Expertise

Panel 1 includes Zooko Wilcox, founder of Zcash, known for zk‑SNARKs technology enabling confidential transactions. Jill Gunter of Espresso Systems, Koh of Aleo Network Foundation, and Simon Letort of Digital Asset will join the panel.

Nikhil Raghuveera of Predicate and Wayne Chang of SpruceID will also participate. Panel 2 features Katherine Kirkpatrick Bos of StarkWare and Carole House of Penumbra Strategies. Linda Jeng of Digital Self Labs and Summer Mersinger of the Blockchain Association will join them.

Jay Stanley of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will also take part. J.W. Verret of George Mason Law School and Steve Yelderman of Etherealize will complete the panel.

This mix ensures diverse input, from technical insights to advocacy for user rights. Wilcox’s participation, noted in recent X posts and coverage, highlights privacy coins amid scrutiny.

The SEC clarified that inclusion does not imply endorsement. Fanusie’s moderation adds depth, given his expertise in national security and innovation.

Broader Implications for Crypto Regulation

The roundtable takes place at a critical time for the cryptocurrency industry. Calls for stricter DeFi oversight from firms like Citadel are growing.

Discussions will explore how surveillance tools can prevent fraud without over‑collecting user data. Outcomes may influence U.S. standards on privacy in blockchain transactions.

Balanced practices, such as zero‑knowledge proofs, could verify transactions without full disclosure. This aligns with global trends toward enhanced reporting. Public comments following the event may further refine policies.

As crypto adoption rises, the SEC signals commitment to adaptive regulation. Insights from the panels could reduce privacy risks and foster a secure ecosystem. Stakeholders await actionable steps toward sustainable oversight.