Gensler seeks Warren's help in crypto exchange crackdown

Gensler seeks Warren's help in crypto exchange crackdown
The SEC chairman tells Sen. Warren that lawmakers should give watchdogs clear powers to write rules for exchanges, including DeFi trading venues.
AUG 11, 2021
By  Bloomberg

Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler is turning to Sen. Elizabeth Warren for help as he seeks to clamp down on cryptocurrency exchanges.

Gensler, who’s repeatedly rung alarm bells over the platforms during his four-month tenure, told Warren in an Aug. 5 letter that regulators need more resources to protect investors. He also said lawmakers should give watchdogs clear powers to write rules for exchanges, including decentralized finance, or DeFi, trading venues.

“We need additional authorities to prevent transactions, products and platforms from falling between regulatory cracks,” he wrote in response to questions from Warren about his plans for policing the industry.

Gensler, who previously taught classes on digital assets at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has disappointed crypto fans by saying he wants to bring the asset class under the government’s watchful eye. He told Warren that he is particularly worried about so-called stablecoins, which play an integral part in trading.

For her part, Warren signaled she’ll be a willing ally in asserting more control over digital assets.

“Cryptocurrency is the wild west of our financial system and desperately needs rules of the road,” the Massachusetts Democrat said in a statement. “I’m going to continue to engage with the SEC and other federal regulators on this, and will work to close regulatory gaps through legislation.”

It's tough to build an advice practice around those who need it most

Latest News

SEC charges Chicago-based investment adviser with overbilling clients more than $2.5M in fees
SEC charges Chicago-based investment adviser with overbilling clients more than $2.5M in fees

Eliseo Prisno, a former Merrill advisor, allegedly collected unapproved fees from Filipino clients by secretly accessing their accounts at two separate brokerages.

Apella Wealth comes to Washington with Independence Wealth Advisors
Apella Wealth comes to Washington with Independence Wealth Advisors

The Harford, Connecticut-based RIA is expanding into a new market in the mid-Atlantic region while crossing another billion-dollar milestone.

Citi's Sieg sees rich clients pivoting from US to UK
Citi's Sieg sees rich clients pivoting from US to UK

The Wall Street giant's global wealth head says affluent clients are shifting away from America amid growing fallout from President Donald Trump's hardline politics.

US employment report reactions: Overall better than expected, but concerns with underlying data
US employment report reactions: Overall better than expected, but concerns with underlying data

Chief economists, advisors, and chief investment officers share their reactions to the June US employment report.

Creative Planning's Peter Mallouk slams 'offensive' congressional stock trading
Creative Planning's Peter Mallouk slams 'offensive' congressional stock trading

"This shouldn’t be hard to ban, but neither party will do it. So offensive to the people they serve," RIA titan Peter Mallouk said in a post that referenced Nancy Pelosi's reported stock gains.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.