Peter Van Valkenburgh, director of research at Coin Center, discusses a proposed rule by the US Securities and Exchange Commission that has massive implications for the free-speech rights of crypto software developers in the US. Show highlights:

  • why an SEC proposal changing the definition of “exchange” could violate the right to free speech of US crypto developers
  • whether the SEC is going after DeFi on purpose – as its 200+ page proposal never mentions crypto or DeFi
  • what precedent Peter has found that should prohibit the SEC from taking away software developers’ right to free speech
  • how Peter and Coin Center structured their recent letter of comment to the SEC
  • what the next steps (such as a lawsuit?) should be for the crypto community if the rule goes into effect 
  • why writing software is part of someone’s right to free speech
  • what implications the proposed rule could have on AMMs
  • what happens next: when could the rule be put into place?

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Announcing The Cryptopians Book Clubs!

On April 26th, I will be selling NFT tickets to five 90-minute virtual book clubs in which 22 people can discuss “The Cryptopians” with me and with each other — without worrying about spoilers! Two of the book clubs will also feature special guests. 

The sale will go live on Tuesday, April 26, at 1pm ET/10am PT,  and tickets will be $100 each. (The sale will be on Bitski, but the NFTs will not be visible until the sale goes live on the 26th): https://www.bitski.com/@laurashin/created

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Episode Links

Peter Van Valkenburgh

The SEC Proposal