September 2022
Cryptocurrency lobby group seeks to weigh in on SEC vs Ripple’s XRP lawsuit
Cryptocurrency advocacy group Chamber of Digital Commerce (CDC) has sought to be an amicus curiae (Latin for friend of court) in the lawsuit between the Securities and Exchange Commission and Ripple Labs. See related article: Ripple opposes SEC request to seal expert witness identities in XRP lawsuit Fast facts CDC Wednesday filed several documents in […]
Ripple opposes SEC request to seal expert witness identities in XRP lawsuit
Cryptocurrency firm Ripple Labs filed a letter of response on Monday to oppose the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s request to seal portions of legal filings that contain information identifying the SEC’s proposed expert witnesses, as the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple Labs drags on. See related article: SEC seeks to seal information exposing expert witness […]
SEC seeks to seal information exposing expert witness identities in XRP lawsuit
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a motion seeking to seal portions of the filings that contain information identifying the SEC’s expert witnesses in its lawsuit against Ripple Labs. See related article: SEC, Ripple take XRP lawsuit battle to media as well Fast facts The SEC wrote in the motion on Friday that […]
SEC to open digital asset office as it cranks up regulatory scrutiny of cryptocurrencies
Amid an increased focus on cryptocurrency among global regulators and lawmakers, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is launching a new office dedicated to reviewing filings related to digital assets. See related article: MicroStrategy and Michael Saylor sued by District of Columbia for evading taxes Fast facts The SEC is adding the Office of […]
Thai regulator files police complaint against Zipmex for non-compliance
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand (Thai SEC) has filed a police complaint against cryptocurrency exchange Zipmex and Akalarp Yimwilai, cofounder of the company and CEO of its Thai unit, for non-compliance. See related article: Thailand mandates warnings on crypto ads Fast facts In a statement, Thai SEC said it had ordered Zipmex to […]
Anti-crypto U.S. congressman says too much power, money prevent all-out ban
U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman, who chairs a House subcommittee on investor protection and a leading crypto skeptic in Washington, is seeking more stringent cryptocurrency regulation, if not all-out bans, according to a report by the LA Times. See related article: CFTC, SEC seek input on hedge fund crypto reporting rules Fast facts In an interview […]
Thailand mandates warnings on crypto ads
Cryptocurrency advertisements in Thailand must indicate potential risks of investing in the nascent asset class, the nation’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said in a statement on Thursday. See related article: Singapore central bank warns against crypto marketing, promotion Fast facts Crypto businesses in the Southeast Asian nation must report all details of advertisements and […]
CFTC, SEC seek input on hedge fund crypto reporting rules
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have jointly sought public comments to amend crypto rules for large hedge funds advisers. See related article: New US crypto bill seeks to make CFTC top Bitcoin, Ethereum watchdog Fast facts The CFTC and SEC are jointly proposing to amend the rules […]
August 2022
SEC, Ripple take XRP lawsuit battle to media as well
The ongoing battle between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Ripple Labs over the latter’s token XRP is playing out not just in a courtroom but in media channels as well. See related article: SEC files no objection to Ripple request to seal non-party identities in XRP lawsuit Fast facts Stu Alderoty, general counsel […]
SEC files no objection to Ripple request to seal non-party identities in XRP lawsuit
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has decided not to object to Ripple Lab’s request to seal identities of certain non-parties and Ripple employees in the Daubert motions, as its lawsuit against Ripple drags on. See related article: SEC seeks to file up to 90-page long reply to motion in XRP lawsuit Fast facts The […]
Grayscale says XLM, ZEC and ZEN may be securities after SEC inquiry
In recent filings, the crypto asset management firm has said Stellar (XLM), Zcash (ZEC) and Horizen’s (ZEN) native cryptocurrencies may be securities. Grayscale was responding to questions from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding the company’s crypto trusts. See related article: Grayscale sues SEC over spot Bitcoin ETF rejection Fast facts In its […]
Thailand’s SCBX scraps plan to buy 51% stake in crypto exchange Bitkub
Thailand’s oldest lender SCBX Pcl has announced it is withdrawing from an earlier decision to purchase a 51% stake in the crypto exchange Bitkub for US$500 million, citing regulatory issues. See related article: Thailand’s central bank to get more power in crypto regulation overhaul: report Fast facts In a statement addressed to the Stock Exchange […]
SEC seeks to file up to 90-page long reply to motion in XRP lawsuit
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is requesting to file a lengthy reply to its motion that seeks to exclude the testimony of Ripple Labs’ witnesses, as the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple drags on. See related article: Judge grants Ripple’s request to review videos of SEC officials Fast facts The SEC filed the request on […]
Coinbase hit with lawsuit over allegedly poor security
U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has been hit with a class action lawsuit last week over claims the firm allegedly failed to properly secure customers’ accounts, leaving them vulnerable to unauthorized activity. See related article: Coinbase under investigation by SEC, quarterly report reveals Fast facts Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of […]
SEC files brief on Hinman speech as XRP lawsuit drags on
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has fought back in its lawsuit against Ripple Labs with a reply brief in support of its objections to orders that asked the SEC to disclose drafts of a 2018 speech made by former SEC director William Hinman. See related article: Judge grants Ripple’s request to review videos of […]
Judge grants Ripple’s request to review videos of SEC officials
U.S. judge Sarah Netburn on Sunday granted Ripple Labs’ motion to serve two subpoenas to authenticate seven video recordings in which U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions officials made public remarks. See related article: XRP trades down 3.5% after Ripple unlocks 1 billion tokens from escrow Fast facts The judge’s order comes in response to Ripple’s […]
Coinbase under investigation by SEC, quarterly report reveals
Nasdaq-listed Coinbase Global is under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its token listing processes and its staking programs and yield-generating products, according to the company’s most recent quarterly report. See related article: Former Coinbase manager arrested on insider trading charges Fast facts “[Coinbase] has received investigative subpoenas and requests from […]
US crypto bill pile up; Philippines Binance warning
US Senate proposes the CFTC takes responsibility of Bitcoin and Ethereum. Meanwhile, Philippine authorities warn against Binance
New US crypto bill seeks to make CFTC top Bitcoin, Ethereum watchdog
The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee introduced a bill on Wednesday to put the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) at the helm of regulating all cryptocurrencies classified as commodities. See related article: US crypto bill could undermine market protections: SEC, Gensler Fast facts The bill would give the CFTC “exclusive jurisdiction” over all “digital commodities,” which […]
July 2022
SEC fails to block XRP holders from aiding in Ripple case
A U.S. federal district court dismissed the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s motion to revoke the “amici curiae” or “friends of the court” status granted to XRP holders in an order on Tuesday. See related article: SEC wins time to resist crucial document handover to Ripple in XRP lawsuit Fast facts In a letter to […]
SEC says 9 out of 25 assets in crypto insider trading case are securities
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleged in a civil suit filed last week that nine of the 25 crypto assets traded in the first-ever cryptocurrency insider trading case were securities and that leaking confidential information, therefore, amounted to securities fraud. See related article: Former Coinbase manager arrested on insider trading charges Fast facts […]
Thai SEC seeks additional clarification from Zipmex
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand (Thai SEC), has sought clarification from cryptocurrency exchange Zipmex on its decision to freeze withdrawals, according to a statement on its website. See related article: Celsius bankruptcy deepens chill over crypto sector Fast facts The regulatory authority for Thailand’s capital markets, in a letter dated July 20 issued […]
Former Coinbase manager arrested on insider trading charges
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) arrested former Coinbase product manager Ishan Wahi and his brother, Nikhil Wahi, on allegations of wire fraud in a first-ever cryptocurrency insider trading scheme, the agency said in a statement on Thursday. See related article: Former OpenSea employee arrested amid insider trading allegations Fast facts The Wahi brothers are […]
Chinese logistics network plans US fundraise via tokenized offerings
HGC Info Tech (HGC) announced Tuesday that it will start offering its securities tokens at U.S. digital asset exchange INX, as Chinese firms face delisting risks in the states due to regulatory differences. See related article: SEC places Chinese crypto mining rig maker Canaan on pre-delisting list Fast facts Xiamen-based HGC provides order matching and […]
Vitalik Buterin defends Ethereum ahead of merge; ‘not a security’
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin tweeted a defense of the network’s transition to proof of stake (PoS) on Tuesday, responding to arguments suggesting assets secured by such consensus mechanisms are a security. See related article: Ethereum one step closer to Eth2 with Ropsten testnet merger Fast facts “The fact that you can vote on something to […]
South Korea may team up with US to investigate crypto crimes
South Korea’s Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon met with U.S. investigative agencies in New York on Tuesday amid the countries’ separate investigations into Terra and its cofounder Do Kwon. See related article: South Korean authorities cite LUNA debacle to call for speedier crypto oversight Fast facts The minister met with Andrea M. Griswold, co-chief of the […]
VanEck files for spot Bitcoin ETF despite Grayscale rejection
Investment firm VanEck has filed an application for a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), despite Grayscale’s application getting rejected on Tuesday. See related article: Next step for spot Bitcoin ETF in the US may be a courtroom battle Fast facts VanEck had filed for a spot Bitcoin […]
June 2022
Grayscale sues SEC over spot Bitcoin ETF rejection
Grayscale Investments filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) within an hour of the markets regulator rejecting an application that would have allowed its spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) to trade on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). See related article: Bitcoin ETF rejection could trigger Greyscale to sue the SEC […]
US crypto bill could undermine market protections: SEC, Gensler
The recently proposed U.S. cryptocurrency bill could undermine the existing regulatory framework for broader capital markets, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler said on Tuesday. See related article: Hold onto your crypto bags, the regulators are coming Fast facts Speaking at the Wall Street Journal’s CFO Network Summit, Gensler said many crypto companies […]
US crypto bill leaves ‘open question’ on securities: Tessler
A proposed US crypto bill may place crypto under the CFTC’s primary oversight, but that won’t exclude the SEC from the industry, Sidley Austin’s Lilya Tessler says.
Next step for spot Bitcoin ETF in the US may be a courtroom battle
It’s been a ‘Waiting for Godot’ experience for the crypto industry regarding US approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF. A decision next month by the SEC could bring a lift to crypto markets or be a boon to lawyers.
Do Kwon and Terra lose appeal to impede SEC investigation
The order said Do Kwon and Terraform Labs had sufficient contact with the US for the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate it for possible violations of federal
securities laws.
Hold onto your crypto bags, the regulators are coming
Falling prices, an imploding stablecoin, and more reports of hacks have occupied the cryptocurrency headlines in recent weeks, so it’s perhaps no surprise that regulators have noticed and they intend to do something about it.
SEC said to probe Binance for rule violation in 2017 initial coin offering: report
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly looking into whether Binance violated any rules regarding the sale of securities when its BNB token was sold through an initial coin offering (ICO) in 2017. See related article: Binance’s venture arm raises US$500 mln to invest in Web3, blockchain Fast facts The world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange […]
May 2022
Bitcoin rig maker Canaan reports over US$200 mln in Q1 revenue
Chinese crypto mining rig maker Canaan booked robust revenue growth in Q1 2022 despite logistical issues and supply chains disruptions from the pandemic, the company said on Thursday. See related article: SEC places Chinese crypto mining rig maker Canaan on pre-delisting list Fast facts Canaan recorded 1.36 billion yuan (US$214 million) in revenue in the […]
Celsius Network’s mining arm plans public listing
Celsius Mining, a Bitcoin mining unit of cryptocurrency lender Celsius Network, is planning to go public, as the company doubles down on its mining business. See related article: SEC scrutinizing crypto lending by Celsius, Gemini, Voyager: reports Fast facts Celsius Mining said on Monday that it filed a Form S-1 draft registration with the U.S. […]
Nvidia to pay US$5.5 mln for inadequate disclosure of crypto mining earnings
Graphics card giant Nvidia has agreed to pay a US$5.5 million fine for inadequate disclosure on its sales related to cryptocurrency mining in its 2018 financial statements. See related article: SEC places Chinese crypto mining rig maker Canaan on pre-delisting list Fast facts Crypto mining was a “significant element of its material revenue growth from […]
Global NFT Sales Rise; Hong Kong Embraces NFTs
Bitcoin falls as Nasdaq hits its worst drop since 2020. Meanwhile, NFT exhibitions are popping up in Hong Kong.
SEC places Chinese crypto mining rig maker Canaan on pre-delisting list
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it determined that Canaan used an auditor whose working papers cannot be inspected or investigated completely by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). See related article: Canaan to buy back up to $100M shares to drive value Fast facts The SEC Wednesday said it is placing 88 […]
The SEC is building a SWAT team to combat crypto crime
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it is expanding its crypto asset enforcement team by adding 20 positions, in a move to bolster its efforts to combat cybercrime associated with cryptocurrency. See related article: Peirce dissents from SEC’s US$100M BlockFi settlement Fast facts The SEC on Tuesday said that its staff strength in a […]
April 2022
Grayscale fancies SEC green light for Bitcoin spot ETF
The cryptocurrency investment firm has stepped up its lobbying efforts with the U.S. regulator following its recent nod to a Bitcoin futures ETF. See related story: SEC comes around on Bitcoin ETFs Fast facts Grayscale’s lawyers have written to the Securities and Exchange Commission saying that its application for a Bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) […]
SFC allows HK’s MaiCapital to manage 100% digital-assets portfolio
The development allows the city to emerge as a top destination for asset managers looking to launch cryptocurrency-themed funds for professional investors. See related article: More traditional investors are eyeing cryptocurrency to diversify their portfolios Fast facts The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC)-licensed blockchain and virtual assets manager can manage portfolios that may comprise up […]
SEC comes around on Bitcoin ETFs
Oversight by the American commodities regulator of the Bitcoin futures ETF by Teucrium helped with the SEC approval.
March 2022
Europe’s first metaverse ETF lists on London Stock Exchange
Europe’s first metaverse-themed exchange-traded fund (ETF), the ETC Group Global Metaverse UCITS ETF (METR), listed on the London Stock Exchange Thursday, available for sale across Europe. See related article: Hong Kong gears up for its first metaverse ETF Fast facts The ETF will track the Solactive ETC Group Global Metaverse Index, which currently offers exposure […]
Bullish delays $9B SPAC merger, awaits SEC approval
Bullish has postponed its backdoor listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) through a planned special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) deal with Far Peak Acquisition Corp., as the merger still waits for approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. See related article: Crypto exchange Bullish announces soft launch Fast facts Bullish, operator of […]
February 2022
Binance US under probe for ties with trading affiliates: report
The U.S. securities watchdog has launched a probe into crypto exchange Binance’s relationship with two trading firms with ties to founder Changpeng Zhao, the Wall Street Journal reported. Fast facts The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is examining whether Binance’s U.S. arm properly discloses to users its links to two trading firms — Sigma Chain […]
Peirce dissents from SEC’s US$100M BlockFi settlement
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, dubbed Crypto Mom, dissented in Monday’s US$100M BlockFi settlement, saying the punishment does not fit the crime.
January 2022
SEC scrutinizing crypto lending by Celsius, Gemini, Voyager: reports
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is scrutinizing the cryptocurrency companies Celsius Network, Gemini Trust and Voyager Digital about their practice of paying interest on crypto token deposits, Bloomberg.com reported on Thursday. Fast facts The SEC has begun an enforcement review focused on whether these tokens are unregistered securities, the report states, citing unnamed sources […]
Amid SEC lawsuit, Ripple buys back stock and raises value to US$15B
San Francisco-based Ripple Labs announced Tuesday that on the heels of a strong year it bought back the shares it sold in a 2019 fundraise and is now valued at US$15 billion. Fast facts The blockchain payments platform developer is in the middle of a 13-months-long lawsuit filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission […]
SEC wins time to resist crucial document handover to Ripple in XRP lawsuit
A federal judge on Monday has given the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) until Feb. 17 to fight her earlier order to turn over to the defendant Ripple Labs certain sensitive government documents in the agency’s lawsuit alleging the XRP token is an unregistered security. Fast facts Ripple and XRP investors initially believed they […]
Ripple responds to SEC motion to strike its fair notice defense
Attorneys for Ripple Labs Inc. filed a response with a federal judge Monday asserting the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is misapplying a recent ruling in another case in an attempt to deprive Ripple of an affirmative defense in the ongoing lawsuit, SEC v. Ripple Labs Inc. Fast facts In Monday’s letter, Ripple argued the […]
December 2021
U.S. regulatory turf wars and a spot Bitcoin ETF are on their way in 2022
Perianne Boring of the Chamber of Digital Commerce sees agencies elbowing each other to oversee the crypto industry while investors start to pay big taxes.
Will 2022 be the year of crypto regulation?
Global shifts are underway in crypto regulations, writes Huong Hauduc of Bequant. How might the political and market forces play out next year?
Regulators and the problem of unstable stablecoins
Federal regulators have turned their sights on stablecoins. But is the attempt to tame this digital currency too late?
INX exec says crypto CEOs should talk to the SEC
Chief business officer of the first SEC-registered digital security says crypto companies got caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
Here comes the crypto derivatives boom
Investment banks’ hunger for a new revenue stream is likely to drive up the popularity and registration of crypto derivatives products.
Fidelity launches spot Bitcoin ETF in Canada
One of the world’s largest asset managers sought SEC approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF in March and is still awaiting a response.
SEC denies WisdomTree’s spot Bitcoin ETF
The SEC’s second rejection of a spot Bitcoin ETF again cited concerns about fraud and manipulation.
SEC chair Gensler calls stablecoins ‘poker chips’ again
Conversation between current and former SEC chairs at annual digital asset compliance summit focused on regulating crypto.
November 2021
SEC new enforcement actions rose 7% to 434 in FY 2021
The securities markets regulator ordered $3.85B in fines, while new actions included ‘emerging threats’ in the crypto industry.
Bitcoin ETFs beckon as SEC spurns sweet spot
Top blockchain and crypto news: Spot ETFs stymied as SEC stands firm. Is Bitcoin’s Taproot upgrade worth the wait? China’s crypto mining goes underground.
Marathon Digital discloses SEC investigation and raises US$650M in debt
In an eventful Monday, Bitcoin mining company Marathon Digital’s stock price fell on news it is being investigated by the SEC even as it raised millions in debt.
SEC enlists court to compel Terraform Labs and its CEO to testify
The creator of the Mirror protocol and its CEO Do Kwon have little recourse but to comply with the SEC subpoena to produce documents and testify.
SEC halts token registration of America’s first legal DAO
The U.S. Securities and Exchange commission halted the token registration of American CryptoFED, the first legally recognized decentralized autonomous organization in the U.S. Fast facts Wyoming-based American CryptoFED became the first DAO in the U.S. to achieve legal status in July after Wyoming passed a law that recognized DAOs as limited liability companies. A DAO […]
Ripple to launch ‘game-changer’ liquidity hub amid XRP legal battles with SEC
Trying to move beyond XRP, Ripple hopes its customers will join RippleNet with a wallet that supports fiat and other cryptos like Bitcoin and Ether.
Why the crypto industry needs compromise and education
FTX founder and CEO Sam Bankman-Fried says building products that people want is what matters most, and the crypto industry and regulators will need to find compromises to resolve some of the industry’s pressing issues.
BlockFi files for Bitcoin spot ETF with SEC amid regulatory heat
New Jersey-based crypto banking services provider BlockFi and investment management firm Neuberger Berman jointly filed for a Bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday. Fast facts In September, the U.S. got its first Bitcoin-linked ETF with the launch of ProShares Bitcoin Strategy Fund. But ProShares’ ETF was backed […]
Biden administration report on stablecoins calls for laws to mitigate risks
The highly awaited report outlines recommendations for stablecoin regulation and asks regulatory bodies to combat risks until Congress introduces new laws.
October 2021
CFTC wants to be the primary crypto regulator
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is ready to be the “primary cop on the beat” for digital assets, CFTC acting chair Rostin Behnam said at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday. Fast facts As of Tuesday, “the total size of the digital asset market was US$2.7 trillion and among that $2.7 trillion, nearly 60% were commodities. […]
SEC set to receive formal authority to regulate stablecoins
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission chair Gary Gensler has reiterated over time that most stablecoins are securities and should, therefore, fall under the purview of the securities watchdog. Now, Gensler is one step closer to achieving his aim of regulating stablecoins. Fast facts The U.S. Treasury Department and other agencies are putting together a report […]
Trick of the trade: Is SEC helping or reining in Bitcoin with ETF?
Top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: Bitcoin grows up. Facebook’s metaverse journey. China’s crypto investors find a workaround.
What the coming Bitcoin-futures ETF bonanza means for investors
The first US Bitcoin futures EFT is set to begin trading today. Will this exchange-traded fund bring Bitcoin closer to the masses?