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SEC’s Crackdown on the Cryptocurrency Sector: A Closer Look at Actions Against Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN) and Binance

By: Spotlight Growth

June 06, 2023 at 15:21 PM EDT

In a major development in the cryptocurrency sector, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has extended its regulatory net over two of the largest crypto exchanges in the world – Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN) and Binance. This expansion of the SEC’s jurisdiction now covers over $120 billion of crypto, with the lawsuits against both platforms citing more than a dozen major coins as unregistered securities, a designation that brings with it strict investor protection rules and potential trade complications.

SEC’s Action Against Coinbase: A Matter of Security?

The SEC’s suit against Coinbase alleges that the platform has since at least 2019 allowed for the unlicensed buying and selling of “crypto asset securities,” particularly through its staking-as-a-service program. It charges that Coinbase chose not to register this service deliberately, thereby putting investors at risk. According to Gurbir S. Grewal, director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, Coinbase was fully aware of the federal securities laws’ applicability to its business activities but refused to follow them.

Despite the SEC’s allegations, Coinbase has responded with an assertion that it takes the allegations seriously but disagrees with the SEC’s viewpoint. The exchange maintains its commitment to protect its customers and uphold the integrity of the crypto market. Nevertheless, the specifics of any U.S. state legal actions following the SEC’s suit against Coinbase remain to be established.

Binance in the SEC’s Crosshairs: A Case of Regulatory Violation?

Binance, operating internationally as Binance.com and in the U.S. as Binance.US, is facing serious allegations from the SEC. The regulator accuses Binance and its founder, Changpeng Zhao, of violating securities laws by permitting U.S. customers to trade on Binance.com despite a ban on such activities. Furthermore, the SEC alleges that Binance and Binance.US commingled billions of dollars worth of user funds and sent them to a European company controlled by Zhao.

The SEC’s lawsuit unveiled 13 separate charges against Binance and Zhao, including allegations that Binance.com and Binance.US are operating as unregistered exchanges and clearing agencies, making unregistered offers and sales of Binance Coin (BNB) and Binance USD (BUSD) via crypto lending and staking-as-a-service programs, and failing to restrict U.S. users from using Binance.com instead of Binance.US. It also claims that they misled Binance.US customers about market surveillance controls to prevent manipulative trading.

Binance quickly responded to the SEC’s allegations, reinforcing its willingness to cooperate with regulators and policymakers across the globe. It also stated that while it takes the SEC’s allegations seriously, they should not be the subject of an SEC enforcement action.

Impact and Aftermath of the SEC’s Actions

The immediate aftermath of these regulatory actions saw a significant drop in the prices of leading cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Cardano (ADA), and Dogecoin (DOGE). Binance’s own BNB coin was also down by over 9%. Shares of Coinbase were down nearly as much as 30% at one point in the day’s trading session. However, COIN shares have since recovered and are now down around 12%.

The SEC’s intensified scrutiny of the crypto sector, especially targeting Coinbase and Binance, underscores the urgency for clear and comprehensive regulatory guidance in this rapidly evolving market. As the situation unfolds, the crypto world will undoubtedly keep a keen eye on these developments, given their far-reaching implications.

Conclusion

The SEC’s recent lawsuits against Coinbase and Binance mark a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies. These actions, which have sent ripples through the sector and impacted market prices, underscore the necessity for exchanges to operate within the confines of existing securities laws. While both companies have voiced their commitment to cooperate and comply with the regulations, the broader implications of these actions for the cryptocurrency market are yet to be fully realized. As we continue to observe the evolving relationship between regulatory bodies and cryptocurrency exchanges, one thing is clear: the era of unregulated crypto activity is drawing to a close. The industry must prepare for a future where regulatory compliance is not just an optional extra, but a mandatory requirement.

The post SEC’s Crackdown on the Cryptocurrency Sector: A Closer Look at Actions Against Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN) and Binance appeared first on Spotlight Growth.

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