#CryptoRoundTableRemarks "#". SEC Chairman Paul Atkins confirmed that "engineers should not be held accountable for others using their code," emphasizing that maintaining self-custody of the wallet is a core American value. Heister Peirce, for her part, stated: "Code is protected speech under the U.S. Constitution." The speakers noted that the agency's initial guidance toward DeFi was stifling, but the current discussion paves the way for a regulatory framework that helps protect investors and enhance transparency without stifling innovation in the sector. A notable increase was seen in DeFi tokens such as UNI and AAVE following this event.