William Hinman

William Hinman is a former director of the Division of Corporation Finance at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), serving from 2017 to 2020. He is best known for his role in clarifying the regulatory status of cryptocurrencies, particularly his 2018 speech where he stated that Bitcoin and Ethereum should not be classified as securities, implying they are more like commodities. This distinction has significant implications for how cryptocurrencies are regulated and has influenced the industry regarding compliance and investment practices. His work has shaped ongoing discussions about the intersection of finance, technology, and regulation.