The Long Arm of the Law Comes to Cryptos, SEC Issuing Subpoenas

in #bitcoin7 years ago

Tuesday evening the Wall Street Journal published an article that the Securities and Exchange Commission issued dozens of subpoenas and information requests from those involved with initial coin offerings (ICOs).

Let’s see what’s going on and the impact on crypto markets.

Those in the crypto market knew this was coming. SEC Chairman Jay Clayton issued a statement on cryptocurrencies and ICOs back in December.

Key points included:

A number of concerns have been raised regarding the cryptocurrency and ICO markets, including that, as they are currently operating, there is substantially less investor protection than in our traditional securities markets, with correspondingly greater opportunities for fraud and manipulation.

Selling securities generally requires a license, and experience shows that excessive touting in thinly traded and volatile markets can be an indicator of “scalping,” “pump and dump” and other manipulations and frauds.

What he’s saying is that ICOs need to follow SEC regulations and in the eyes of the SEC pretty much every crypto is a security.

Token sales have already raised $1.66 billion in 2018 and are on pace to break the $6.5 billion raised in 2017. With such rapid growth the SEC is feeling the pressure to get a handle on the ICO market.

In this enforcement round the SEC is looking for info on how token sales and pre-sales were conducted. They’re also looking into SAFTs, simple agreements for future tokens.

What’s interesting is that while there appears to be a crackdown on the federal level, states are moving in the other direction. Wyoming passed a bill that allows ICOs to bypass securities regulations if they meet key requirements. And Arizona is going to accept cryptocurrencies for taxes.

It would be nice if the SEC took a cue from Switzerland’s Financial Market Supervisory Authority. They defined three classes of tokens, with only one class being a security.

Overall the market shrugged off the news and even rallied over the past 24 hours. I found that surprising.

What do you think of the SEC’s recent crackdown?


For more on cryptos follow me @g-dubs and on SteemFollower

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It’s all a ruse. This are just Shake downs before they buy up all the cheap supplies

agreed ... i believe youre right

About time... the ICO market was getting too crazy

True. Hopefully they're not too heavy handed though.

Some companies do need to be cleaned up, but yeah, too heavy-handed would mean stiffling innovation...

First they say crypto are a scam, and now they tax them.

They'll get to acceptance eventually ;-p

Denial: It's a scam

Anger: Stop turning your fiat to crypto, you fools!

Bargain: Maybe have Korea impose limitations?

Depression: That wasn't enough; people keep using crypto

Acceptance: Oh well, tax them as real money instead of the dept banks are printing

What will happen at the end?

That's a great question. I don't know how it will pan out but I imagine cryptos will follow the path of least resistance and move elsewhere if need be.

nice information sir about crypto.

Cheers!

I think as a whole crypto will be fine as it’s outside SEC reach. This could slow adoption though and for select individuals and companies it could be bad. Overstock is down roughly 5% since the news so it’s definitely taking a toll.

Some are saying it's designed as a preventive effort more so than actual enforcement. We'll see.
Agree though crypto will be fine. The market is up so that says everything.

Thanks for your informative article @g-dubs

Thanks!

good news, why only one is used, two more what's wrong?

thanks for giving essential information about cryptocurrency. keep it up.

Thanks!

whoever says it a scam, lately accepted it!
They all are going to do the same.

I'm conflicted. The purpose of SEC is to protect the US citizens from shady wall street brokers and bad deals that will end up losing people money. Crypto is such a wild west right now, I'm not sure SEC is capable of handling it like stocks. I don't know..

Hopefully they'll get an education on crytpo because not every token is a security.
I'm not sure they can get a handle on it either due to its international nature.

You're right

Really this is update news which we should know about cryptocurrencies as a crypto user. It will be better for investment in cryptocurrencies if you know about cryptocurrencies. In this regard your post is very helpful to get good idea. It will help to trust that from Your logical word and different news from different source that what is the future of crptyptocurrencies. thank you for sharing this post with us.

Thanks!

Thank you for posting so that everyone will remind.

You got it!

I never get into an ICO.

You're probably better off that way.

wow!
i love bitcoin.

Me too ;-)

Fraud? In a currency I can’t see or feel, that’s a number on a computer screen? Shocker. 😒😒😒

Lol ;-p

That's a great question I don't know how it will pan out but I imagine cryptos will follo।w

Thanks for sharing great post
@g-dubs

Cheers!

i hope crypto wont end :( we all hope for the good

Me too!

We should all move to puerto rico

or just your accounts

You can stay if you want :) (only if you can go)

Lol I know someone who just did.

I will definitely do it too 😂 (but after collecting alot of sbds 🙄)

thanks for sharing this news. I did a post on ICO's . Very interesting and fast way for crowdfunding however, with many players causing financial loses to investors. But the reality is with the great loss they caused folks last year, its expected for such regulations but i wish to see a very capable third party in way of escrow ensuring both sides are protected and f any loss, escrow should be held responsible which will lead to more thorough dd on part of escrow company. my take thanks for sharing

Interesting idea, thanks for sharing.

Welcome as always

enhancement which is very large, but only two months, what if it gets to full year?

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Thanks for the info of crypto @g-dubs

Thsts Great

Thanks For the info @g-dubs

Awesome

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I have no reason to say

There are to be more I learn

I want to know you more closely. to discuss this issue

great news. happy to hear the news, thanks for share such a useful information.

They are just making ways to buy themselves :/ greedy people

Do what I say not what I do ;-p

hahah cheepsters :/ fucking rascles.

great post dear great man. i hope your success at steemit life very son. i well never forget you dear.