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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• part-time remote social media marketing manager: https://unchainedpodcast.com/seeking-part-time-remote-social-media-and-marketing-manager/
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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

Thank you to our sponsors!

Crypto.com: https://crypto.onelink.me/J9Lg/unconfirmedcardearnfeb2021    

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OnJuno: https://onjuno.com/ 

Galaxis: https://galaxis.xyz/

 

Episode Links

 

Peter Van Valkenburgh

• Coin Center profile: https://www.coincenter.org/people/peter-van-valkenburgh/
• Twitter:  ​https://twitter.com/valkenburgh 

 

The SEC Proposal

• Proposal: ​https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2022-10# 
• Comments on the proposal: https://www.sec.gov/comments/s7-02-22/s70222.htm 
• Coin Center’s/Peter’s comment: https://www.coincenter.org/a-new-sec-proposal-has-a-serious-change-hidden-within-its-complex-language/
• Coin Center blog on its comment: https://www.coincenter.org/a-new-sec-proposal-has-a-serious-change-hidden-within-its-complex-language/ 
• Gabriel Shapiro’s comment: https://twitter.com/lex_node/status/1516079145213739013 

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