The legal duel between the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Kraken, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, looks like another misguided attempt by the SEC to exert control over an industry that fundamentally challenges an outdated regulatory playbook. The agency’s lawsuit, filed in November, accuses Kraken of operating as an unregistered securities exchange. The lawsuit isn’t just a repeat of the SEC’s past failures. It’s also a glaring example of regulatory overreach that fails to grasp the essence of cryptocurrency. It mirrors the agency’s actions against Coinbase, which mark…
Tag: SEC
SEC Attorneys Hit by Judge With Reprimand and Possible Sanctions in Debt Box Case
A federal judge first slapped Debt Box with a temporary restraining order, restricting its access to its assets, in August. However, he later dissolved the order after Debt Box demonstrated it had neither moved funds outside the U.S., nor closed its bank accounts two days before a hearing over the SEC’s request to freeze its funds, Debt Box’s lawyers said in a filing. Source
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Seeks Public’s Thoughts on Fidelity’s Potential Spot Ethereum ETF
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is asking the public what they think about financial services giant Fidelity’s potential spot market Ethereum (ETH) exchange-traded fund (ETF). In a new notice, the regulatory agency is asking the public for their opinion on Fidelity filing a bid to create an Ethereum-based ETF on the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE). “Given that on November 17, 2023, Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which…
Terraform Labs and SEC lawyers spar over whistleblower in court: Report
Lawyers representing the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Terraform Labs and co-founder Do Kwon sparred in court over information provided by a whistleblower in the securities lawsuit. According to a transcript of court events provided by Inner City Press on Nov. 30, the SEC reiterated its claims that Terra and Kwon “committed fraud” using the LUNA token, citing sealed evidence provided by an unnamed whistleblower. Kwon’s and Terra’s legal team reportedly argued the SEC was “flip-flopping” on the issue of TerraUSD (UST) depegging from the U.S. dollar. “The…
Bitcoin ETF Approval Date Hinted By Expert: SEC Decision Expected January 5th
Anticipation is building as major asset managers’ predicted approval date for Bitcoin ETF applications approaches 2024. Experts have now issued bold predictions, with Bloomberg exchange-traded fund (ETF) expert James Seyffart pinpointing the potential approval window from January 5th to January 10th. The significance of this timeframe has sparked excitement within the cryptocurrency community, as the approval could mark a major milestone for the industry. However, experts emphasize that failure to approve during this window could have significant implications for the SEC and potential ETF applicants. Bitcoin ETF Approval Expected On…
SEC Considers Fidelity Investments’ Proposed Ethereum ETF
Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart estimates that the SEC’s decision deadline for Fidelity will likely be January 21, 2024, with the final decision expected on March 8, 2024. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently opened the floor for public comments on Fidelity Investments’ proposed spot Ethereum (ETH) Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). This development, if approved, could mark a breakthrough for US investors seeking exposure to the booming world of crypto. The SEC’s Call for Public Input In a notice dated November 30, the SEC invited “interested persons”…
SEC meets with Grayscale, BlackRock about potential bitcoin ETFs
Bitcoin. Filip Radwanski | Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images The Securities and Exchange Commission is formally engaging with asset managers ahead of a much anticipated decision on whether the regulator will approve a bitcoin ETF, according to memos published this week. The regulator said in a memo that it met with Grayscale on Thursday about the potential conversion of the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust into an ETF. The SEC had previously blocked this move, but Grayscale challenged that decision in court and won. SEC officials also met with representatives…
SEC solicits comments on Fidelity’s spot Ether ETF application
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) called on the public to comment on a proposed rule change that could allow asset management firm Fidelity to offer shares of its spot Ether exchange-traded fund, or ETF. In a Nov. 30 notice, the SEC said “interested persons” may comment on the Fidelity offering, proposing the Cboe BZX Exchange list and trade shares of its Fidelity Ethereum Fund. Fidelity first filed for approval of the fund on Nov. 17, becoming one of many firms looking to throw their hats into the…
Coinbase Faces SEC Charges amid Calls for Crypto Regulation Clarity
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong voiced frustration over the charges. He mentioned how his company has provided a lot of clarity to the SEC but the commission on the other hand is not making matters easier. Despite over 30 meetings with the SEC in the past 18 months aimed at gaining regulatory clarity, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase was hit with charges in June for operating an unregistered securities exchange. This came after the company received a Wells Notice for potentially breaking securities law from the regulator in March, signaling an intention to…
SEC Chair Gary Gensler comments on prospects for spot Bitcoin ETF
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler said he is not ready to discuss approval of applications for spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs. Gensler, speaking on the sidelines of the Healthy Markets Association conference on Nov. 29, said he would not “pre-judge” the matter of Bitcoin spot ETFs. He did however note his concerns about the crypto industry as a whole: “This is a field that is rife with bad actors and rife with fraud and manipulation and money laundering.” Gary Gensler, SEC Chairman Gensler considers the process of…