2026 Miami Blockchain Symposium
Miami, FL - Tuesday, January 27, 2026
The Stoops Center for Law and Business and the Institute of Law, Technology, & Innovation, in partnership with the Rutgers Center for Corporate Law and Governance Blockchain and FinTech Program and Sidley Austin LLP, hosted the 2026 Miami Blockchain Symposium. The full-day program brought together innovators, policymakers, and financial industry leaders to examine the legal, regulatory, and market forces shaping digital asset and blockchain innovation. The symposium featured a full schedule of panels, discussions, and presentations exploring regulatory developments, emerging technologies, and evolving business models in the digital asset space. We were honored to feature a fireside chat with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissioner Hester M. Peirce, designated leader of the SEC’s Crypto Task Force. Commissioner Peirce shared timely insights into the evolving regulatory landscape and the future of digital assets, adding valuable perspective to the day’s broader conversations.
Dean Erin O’Hara O’Connor opened the program with welcome remarks, and Professor Yuliya Guseva, Kevin Wood and Mary Jo Peed Professor of Law, moderated a featured fireside chat with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissioner Hester M. Peirce, designated leader of the SEC’s Crypto Task Force. Commissioner Peirce shared timely insights into the evolving regulatory landscape and the future of digital assets, adding valuable perspective to the day’s broader conversations.
We are grateful to Commissioner Peirce, our partners, and all participants for helping make the symposium a success and for advancing thoughtful dialogue at the intersection of law, technology, and business.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissioner Hester Peirce
Hester M. Peirce was appointed by President Donald J. Trump to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and was sworn in on January 11, 2018. Prior to joining the SEC, Commissioner Peirce conducted research on the regulation of financial markets at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. She was a Senior Counsel on the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, where she advised Ranking Member Richard Shelby and other members of the Committee on securities issues. Commissioner Peirce served as counsel to SEC Commissioner Paul S. Atkins. She also worked as a Staff Attorney in the SEC’s Division of Investment Management. Commissioner Peirce was an associate at Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering (now WilmerHale) and clerked for Judge Roger Andewelt on the Court of Federal Claims. Commissioner Peirce earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics from Case Western Reserve University and her JD from Yale Law School.