SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce joined ICI President Eric Pan for a virtual fireside chat ahead of the 2026 Innovate Conference in Houston. The discussion covered AI's role in asset management, tokenization of assets, and regulatory approaches to money market funds. Peirce emphasized experimentation and upcoming guidance on these emerging technologies.
On February 4, 2026, the Investment Company Institute (ICI) hosted a virtual fireside chat featuring its President and CEO, Eric Pan, and Hester Peirce, a Commissioner at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The event previewed ICI's Innovate Conference, set for Houston, Texas, and focused on the evolving landscape of asset management amid technological advancements.
Peirce addressed tokenization, highlighting its potential interaction with traditional equity securities. She noted the SEC's issuance of a no-action letter to the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), which is now conducting a tokenization experiment. "We encourage others to think about experimenting with tokenization," Peirce said, stressing the need to consider appropriate approaches.
Regarding regulatory considerations, Peirce pointed to money market funds as early pioneers in this space. She explained that the SEC has established guardrails applicable to both tokenized and non-tokenized versions. "I expect that we will provide some interpretive guidance in some form or another," she added, leaving open whether it would involve formal rulemaking, FAQs, or informal measures. The discussion underscored the importance of integrating legal and operational realities into tokenization efforts.
Turning to artificial intelligence, Peirce described its value in enhancing human efficiency without displacing workers. "The beauty of AI is that it can make us more efficient as human beings," she remarked. She predicted AI would facilitate tailored advice on proxy voting and investing, as well as customized portfolios, impacting the asset management industry alongside others.
ICI, which represents firms managing $43.5 trillion in U.S.-registered funds serving over 120 million investors, organizes the Innovate Conference to explore technology's intersection with fund operations.
