SEC
SEC typically refers to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission which "protects investors in the $3.8 trillion municipal securities markets that cities and towns rely on to provide neighborhood schools, local libraries and hospitals, public parks, safe drinking water and so much more". But it can also refer to the security and exchange regulation bodies of other countries.
Coinbase vs SEC: Legal Battle Heats Up
The US Court of Appeals has ordered the SEC to respond to Coinbase’s writ of mandamus within 10 days. The largest US cryptocurrency exchange filed a lawsuit in April requesting regulatory clarity, but has faced increased enforcement and warnings from the SEC, leading to a downgraded rating by Citigroup.
Coinme Fined $4 Million by SEC
Crypto exchange Coinme has been fined $4 million by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for offering unregistered securities and making "misleading statements" regarding its token, UpToken.
Nigeria Plans to Regulate Digital Asset Platforms
Nigeria’s SEC is considering new regulations for digital asset platforms, allowing licensed digital exchanges to list tokens backed by certain assets. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether will not be among those assets. Nigeria aims to register fintech firms as digital sub-brokers, crowdfunding intermediaries, fund managers, and tokenized coins issuers. Crypto exchanges will not be registered until the central bank provides clear regulations.
Terraform Labs CEO Asks for Dismissal of SEC Charges
Do Kwon, CEO of Terraform Labs, has requested the dismissal of charges filed by the SEC, arguing that the claims are invalid and that the agency lacked proper jurisdiction. Kwon's counsel stated that Terra's tokens and projects were not specifically targeted at U.S. investors. The South Korean district court previously dismissed security violation charges against the co-founder of Terraform Labs, Hyun-seong Shin, deeming LUNA as non-security under Korea’s Capital Markets Act.
Hydrogen Technology Corporation Settles Crypto Manipulation Lawsuit
Hydrogen Technology Corporation and its former CEO, Michael Ross Kane, have settled a lawsuit brought against them by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for alleged cryptocurrency price manipulation. The settlement requires the firm and Kane to pay $2.8 million in remedies and penalties. The SEC alleged that Kane used Hydrogen's market maker, Moonwalkers Trading Limited, to manipulate the volume and price of its ERC-20 token, Hydro (HYDRO).
SEC Charges Bittrex for Unregistered Securities Trading
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Bittrex and its former CEO William Shihara for operating an unregistered national securities exchange, broker, and clearing agency. The SEC argued that tokens traded on Bittrex, including OMG, Dash, Algorand, Monolith, Naga, and IHT, are securities.
US House Committee Chair Criticizes SEC on Digital Assets
US House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry criticized the SEC’s approach to digital assets at an oversight hearing, demanding clear rules for crypto through legislation and pressing SEC Chair Gary Gensler for a definitive answer on whether Ether qualified as a security or a commodity.
Legislation Introduced to Remove SEC Chair Gensler from His Role
United States Representative Warren Davidson has announced plans to introduce legislation that would remove SEC Chair Gary Gensler from his role and replace it with an Executive Director that reports to the Board. The move follows the SEC's proposed rule amendments that could bring certain brokers under additional regulatory scrutiny and redefine an "exchange." While Gensler has said the proposed changes could benefit investors and markets, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce has criticized the move, accusing the regulator of stifling new technology and entrepreneurship. The SEC has faced criticism for using enforcement actions to develop the law on a case-by-case basis, rather than creating clear regulations.
BlackStar Seeks SEC Registration for On-Chain Stock Trading
BlackStar Enterprise Group plans to conduct over-the-counter stock trading on-chain and has sought registration with the SEC after two years of development and regulatory communication.
Winklevoss Twins Fund Gemini Amid Crypto Downturn
Gemini co-founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss have reportedly loaned their own money to fund the cryptocurrency exchange during the market downturn, which comes as the exchange faces scrutiny from regulators.
XRP Not a Security According to Hogan
Jeremy Hogan, partner at Hogan & Hogan, argues that Ripple’s XRP does not fit the definition of an investment contract and is therefore not a security. The SEC lawsuit against Ripple claims that the company illegally sold XRP as an unregistered security, but Hogan argues that the SEC has not demonstrated an implied or explicit investment contract.
Sushi Chef Addresses SEC Subpoena
Jared Grey, head chef of Japan-based DAO, Sushi, stated that no one associated with Sushi has violated U.S. federal security laws in response to a subpoena from the SEC. Grey is cooperating with the SEC and stated that it is unknown whether further subpoenas will be issued to others linked with Sushi.
SEC Chief to Testify Before House Committee on Crypto Oversight
SEC chief Gary Gensler will face questioning from the House Financial Services Committee on April 18 regarding his approach toward the crypto ecosystem. The committee will focus on Gensler's rulemaking and approach toward crypto assets and lay down a regulatory sphere for digital assets.
Freeport Launches Crowd-Ownership Platform for Warhol Prints
Freeport has received SEC approval to launch its crowd-ownership blockchain platform for a four-piece collection of Warhol prints, with each piece consisting of 10,000 shares and a minimum purchase of 10 shares per individual.
Titanium Blockchain CEO Sentenced to Four Years in Prison
Michael Stollery, the CEO of Titanium Blockchain, has been sentenced to four years in prison for his involvement in a cryptocurrency fraud scheme that raised approximately $21 million through an initial coin offering (ICO) in 2018. Stollery pleaded guilty to securities fraud, admitting to falsifying aspects of TBIS’ whitepapers, planting fake client testimonials on the TBIS website, and commingling ICO investors’ funds with his own.