Hester Peirce’s DoubleZero note hailed as ‘flashing green light’ for DeFi

Core Insights - The SEC's recent no-action decision for the decentralized crypto project DoubleZero indicates a shift towards more engagement with digital asset projects, providing a positive signal for the industry [1][3] - This decision sets a precedent that certain tokens can operate outside of securities law, encouraging growth and integration of digital assets into mainstream finance [2][3] - The SEC's new approach is seen as a break from previous regulatory practices that were characterized by delays and enforcement actions [3] Regulatory Perspective - Commissioner Hester Peirce stated that tokens used for rewarding participants providing services like storage or bandwidth do not meet the definition of securities [4] - The SEC's focus on DePIN projects highlights that tokens distributed as compensation for real-world services are not considered investment contracts [4][5] - Peirce emphasized that these tokens are functional incentives aimed at encouraging infrastructure development rather than traditional securities [5] Market Impact - The clarity provided by the SEC is expected to accelerate growth in the DePIN sector, which could expand from $30-50 billion today to $3.5 trillion by 2028 [6]